How Much?

 I love Thee, I love Thee; I love Thee, My Lord;

I love Thee, my Savior; I love Thee, my God.

I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know;

But how much I love Thee my actions will show.

(words and music: anonymous, from Jeremiah Ingalls’ Christian Harmony)

Like many other hymns of days gone by, this is a hymn we rarely, if ever, sing any more. But my purpose today is not to discuss the history of church music, nor is it to celebrate or complain about (depending on your personal preference) music in churches today. Instead, I would like to focus on these lyrics.

 

It's the last line of the first verse of this hymn that I can't let go of.  But how much I love Thee my actions will show.

 

Saying that we love the Lord is an easy thing to do. Of course we say that. Even the most nominal of Christians would likely say that.  

 

But beyond our words, what do our actions say?

 

Think back over this last week. Or even just think about yesterday. What was there in your behavior or your conversation that gave evidence that you love the Lord?

 

Or did you perhaps give evidence of something else?

When Sunday comes, what will your actions show? Will you join with other believers in praise and worship? In Bible study? In hearing the Word of God proclaimed? Or will your actions show that you just don’t think that’s important anymore? That you’re just too busy.

 

We don't sing this hymn much any more, but I remember singing it frequently as a child in my small-town Baptist church. I loved it then. I love it now. And I'm challenged by it.

 

Are my actions revealing the depth of my love for the Lord?

But how much I love Thee my actions will show.

 

Something to think about.
 

 

"We love Him because He first loved us."  (1 John 4:19 KJV)