Salvation: The Ultimate Love Song

Romeo take me, somewhere we can be alone; I’ll be waiting, all there’s left to do is run; You’ll be the prince, and I’ll be the princess; It’s a love story, baby, just say yes – Taylor Swift Love Story

One of Taylor’s most popular hits, “Love Story” is a typical love song that references the famous Shakespearean play “Romeo and Juliet”. However, this isn’t a text analysis nor am I expressing my love for Taylor Swift (in fact, I hate to break it to you, but I’m no Swiftie – but that’s not the point). Through this song and many others, we see a representation of the world’s view on the theme of love.

I’d rather cry instead of letting you cry, I want to be hurt rather than letting you be hurt; I won’t let anyone hurt your heart ever again, It’s strange a thing, but that’s just how it is; When you love someone – DAY6 When You Love Someone

Growing up in this secular world, we have constantly been fed this ‘oh-what-a-feeling’ kind of idea. Through the countless books we read, dramas we watch, and especially the music we listen to; the question of “What is love?” is answered – but on the basis of our mortal understanding.

How it could be sweet like candy, how it’s like flying in the sky… How it keeps you smiling all day, how the whole world turns beautiful – TWICE What is Love?

This is what the world has taught us; that this is ‘true love’. It seems sweet, like reaching the peak of ecstasy. But, as soon as it starts, it comes to an end. Even from the love of people around us, we can see that earthly love is merely fleeting. That’s why, when an artist conjures up a melody of romance, there is always a melody of heartbreak that follows.

I was born to love you, But now we hate each other; I’m sorry, No matter how many times it repeats – Kang Seung Yoon BORN TO LOVE YOU

And just as we thought we couldn’t be any more miserable…

Said I’m fine and said I moved on, I’m only here passing time in her arms; Hoping I’ll find, A glimpse of us – Joji Glimpse of Us

So, is this it? Are we left to dwell in our state of despair, vulnerable to the endless cycle of the fleeting moment of adoration before being dumped in the ocean of our own tears?

No, of course not!

There’s still hope for us yet. But in order for us to uncover the answer to this dilemma, we must consult with an old hymn, a throwback to our Sunday School days…

God the Father and His Elect

How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure – Stuart Townend How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

Sounds familiar, right? I remember we once had a CD in the car with a playlist of Sunday School songs and this hymn was one. It was played so often that it wasn’t long before I had all the lyrics memorised. But, maybe it was because I was still young, I never really stopped to ponder over what the song was really talking about. It wasn’t till I was a bit older when I realised that this hymn, in fact, holds a valuable truth that not everyone is guaranteed to come by. It illustrates a type of love that transcends the love written in all other love songs; A love that is everlasting, unconditional and sacrificial.

We cannot compare God’s love to the love we see in this world, for our love is like ourselves: “unequal, increasing, waning, growing, and declining.” (Communion With God by John Owen).

However, God’s love is complete and never lacking. He has given everything in order that we may become reconciled with Him; And His ultimate sacrifice was His one-and-only Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure – Stuart Townend How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

There was nothing in and of ourselves that entitled us as deserving of this love. God didn’t owe us anything either – it was pure grace and mercy on His part. Salvation wasn’t some last minute plan He thought up when He saw how corrupt our world had become. God has always loved us, even before this universe was created, from when we were but a thought in His mind. And He knew we would reject Him. He knew we would disobey, turn away and rebel. Yet, what did God promise?:

That He will never exchange His “elect” for anyone else. He will remain faithful, even when we aren’t.

“He will not remove His love and He will not seek another object for it. His love will make its abode forever with the one on whom it has become fixed.” (Communion With God by John Owen)

This is true love. It is unconditional, sacrificial, and everlasting.

I pray that this truth may change your view on love as it has for me. May we no longer rely on the fleeting love that our world has to offer, for there is a love song written by our Heavenly Father, singing that He will love us the same way today, tomorrow and forevermore.