Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
In researching the title of this hit song, I discovered that it was written in the mid-1940s but has been redone by singers like Gene Autry, Rob Stewart, and Kenny Rogers. It has long been a standard among “love songs” and undoubtedly will stand the test of time regarding its sentiment toward those truly in love. No, it isn’t the type of song we’d sing in our worship services, but that one phrase is worthy of our consideration.
In our recent studies of 1 John, we’ve carefully noted the frequency of John’s statements regarding “love.” We noted the importance of “brotherly love” and added the Hebrew writer’s commandments of chapter 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.” In that discussion, we showed the impossibility of this love continuing unless it first exists. We also noted the example and needed reenactment of that love from verse sixteen. It is in that regard this article is written.
In our country, telling someone “I love you” seems to be limited to small children telling their parents of their affection (and vice versa), to younger married couples who continue keeping their affections alive, to older married folks when various situations separate them for a time, and from owners to their pets. (That might be a complete listing, but it’s close.) The point is, we seldom hear the expression made individually between brethren; that is, “person to person.” Yes, we hear brethren saying things like, “I just love them,” or “How can you not love them,” and such like. But to tell a brother or sister face to face, “I love you,” just doesn’t seem to be common!
Look carefully at 1 John 3:16. Whose love is perceived? Now read it again: Whose love is to be proven toward our brethren and to what measure? When you read John 15:13, the depth of that love is extreme, but found to be non-negotiable! Realizing this fact, is it a wonderful thing to be honest and genuine in saying to another Christian, “I love you?”
Does not Peter inform us, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1: 22 – 23) Such fervent love does not seem complete without the statement, “I love you” being included at least occasionally. Of course, we welcome frequent displays of genuine love; but hearing it as loving actions are displayed is more encouraging, and often carries the greatest proof of our words and deeds.
Perhaps it’s our culture that forbids the verbalization of our love toward those who are not “blood kin.” In some places, such an admission is considered inappropriate, or at least receives an insidious laugh from observers. In the present day, the statement is considered on par with the “holy kiss” which we find as the appropriate greeting among the earliest brethren. Man’s customs of greeting vary from country to country and have drastically changed over the centuries. But such changes and variations do not invalidate the purpose of these greetings, nor their sincerity! It is simply the fact we have allowed them to be unwelcome, inappropriate, outdated, or completely wrong! It doesn’t seem right that we’ve allowed, and at times even joined in agreement with men who have endeavored to ruin the greatness, integrity, and righteousness of God’s word and commandments within it, by saying, “That’s not our custom.”
As you look around the audience where you are worshipping, do you see some soul (or you see many) with whom you’ve not had a hearty conversation in a long time? How much love do you think they feel comes from you? Oh, I know that works the other way around as well, but never let the lack of love be your fault! Initiate it by going to them and engaging in a wholesome conversation that proves, yes, even contains words and actions of righteous love! You’ll be surprised how that strengthens the brethren, including yourself! Do you see one or more that you would estimate to need your righteous love to overcome a problem, or to simply feel needed? Why not be the one to give it and learn from the experience what genuine love toward the brethren means and how it increases the vibrancy of the local work?
Yes, it can be awkward, but only if you aren’t used to saying it or proving it. So often we surround ourselves with the family of the flesh and negate our spiritual family as though they are somehow “less valuable” to us. If you feel that way, then consider that you are saying the blood of Christ is less important to you than the blood of your flesh! After all, it is the blood of Christ that unites us as brethren in Him, not the blood of our earthly families! How much do you love Christ? That’s how much we should love one another in Christ Jesus (1 John 3:11-24)
Indeed, my brethren, I love you! Together with our Lord, there is nothing we cannot conquer (Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37). We truly need each other, and I’m not ashamed to say with love, “I need each of you!” Smiles would adorn our faces rather than frowns if we expressed our love verbally and not merely with a handshake or some nodding notion of recognition. We need never fear the deeds or the words of love. We need to be the epitome of love. After all, Christ taught us the truest example of love, and according to Peter, gave us these examples that we should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Again, I love you! Yes, you have said the same and proven it to many of us. Still, can we ever tire of hearing it or seeing it when done righteously?