We love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

My Jesus I Love Thee is one of my top two favorite hymns, along with When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Not only is it one of my favorites, My Jesus Love Thee is one of the most widely sang and loved hymns across the Christian world. I have heard the hymn many times and in every church of which I have been a member. I never tire of hiring it sang and I never tire of the theme. If you have read this blog from the start you know my favorite hymn theme is God’s love.

Sadly, I cannot say that I have always lived the words of title. A person that loves someone demonstrates that love. Conversely, does one that rarely shows their love really love the person? That can be said of me, not showing much love of Him that first loved me so greatly. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deut 6:5). I resolve to love Him with all my heart.

Why should I love God? Why should you if you are a child of God? But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us (Eph 2:4). For we were sinners, doomed to eternity without God. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Rev 1:5). Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

Not only have we received salvation by grace but He supplies the grace to meet the challenges of life. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (Eph 6:24). Through faith we receive joy for the glory of God. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet 1:7,8).

He has loved us in life and not even death can separate us from that love. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38,39). So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1 Cor 15:53,54)?

While God has shown us such great love in this life, words cannot describe his blessings still to come in Glory. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace (2 Thes 2:16). But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Cor 2:9). Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 21).

Do you love God? If you do, do you show it; prove it? He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:17). God’s love is shown to others through us. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Rom 5:5). Lastly, if you love God, praise Him. Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being (Ps 146:1-2).

My Jesus I Love Thee was written by William Featherston of Montreal, Canada who was 16 years old the time. He wrote the hymn not long after he was converted to Christ. Featherston sent a copy to his aunt. She encouraged him to have it published. Featherston did so but anonymously in The London Hymn Book in 1864. Many years passed before the identity of the author and his story became known. Tragically William Featherston died only nine years later never writing another hymn, but he left us with such a simple one that will last the ages until Christ returns for us.

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Do you love Jesus? He loves you!

(Source: http://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/my-jesus-i-love-thee)