All You Need is Love

Most people around the world have heard the popular song first recorded by The Beatles in 1967 called All You Need is Love. This single topped sales charts in Britain, the United States and many other countries, and continues to be popular today. It was a time of “flower power” where a movement of free love, anti-war, and antiviolence, swept across the country and much of the world. Symbolism was embraced by dressing in clothing with vibrant colors, and lots and lots of flowers. On July 7, 1967, Time Magazine’s cover story termed it as the Hippie Movement, and the Beatles hit single became the anthem of this movement.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a concurrent evangelical Christian movement termed The Jesus People Movement was birthed. It started in the West Coast of the US and spread throughout North America, Europe, and Central America. Their cultural style looked the same as the average hippie of the day, however these people were most often referred to as Jesus people or in many cases, Jesus freaks.

The Jesus People Movement literally exploded across the United Sates. During this revival thousands upon thousands of young people gathered in halls, theaters, streets, and beaches. The movement was known for sincere repentance of immoral living, drugs, and radical politics. It was truly a conversion and cleansing wave which hit an entire class of our society. Sadly, they were often shunned from many established churches due to their hippie—un-church like—appearance. Although, two new church groups came out of this movement: Calvary Chapel, and the Vineyard Church. In 1972, as many as 80,000 young Jesus freaks attended Explo ’72 where they heard leaders Bill Bright and Billy Graham speak. Many discovered meaningful non-traditional avenues of Christian worship and experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

When John Lennon wrote All You Need is Love he is quoted as saying that he clearly wanted to bring a song that would be understood by people of all nations to promote peace. He also stated that the song was simple and easy to understand. Love, love, love…love is all you need. But is it really that simple? Actually, I believe that it is that simple. The only question is, what is love?

To truly answer that question, I believe we have to go to the source of all love. And let’s be clear, this love is not the same as if I said, “I love apple pie.” The Bible clearly states that not only does all love come from God (see 1 John 4:7,8), but that love is actually “who” God is (see 1 John 4:16). Isn’t that amazing? In contrast, imagine for a moment what the world would be like if there was no existence of love or the capacitance to love? One can’t even imagine the darkness, evil, hate, and despair. Yet, God, who is Love, gives us all the ability to choose—to make our own choices in life. The very ability to choose to love God and others with His love comes from God Himself. Do you understand that? You could not have the capacity to love if it were not given to you by God, yet God does not demand that we love Him. No, it is our choice. Otherwise, it would be of no value. Yet, He offers the gift of His love through His son Jesus to everyone who will ask. Hands down, the best gift ever!

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Romans 5:8 (AMPC)

One of the most beautiful things the Bible says is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He did not wait for us to deserve His love; He loves us unconditionally. To be honest, that’s hard for many of us to comprehend because we are so accustomed to having to earn and deserve everything in life. God is rich in mercy, and in order to satisfy the great, wonderful, and intense love with which He loves us, He poured His life out for us freely (see Eph. 2:4). That is revolutionary love! Real, revolutionary love must give itself, for it can never be satisfied to do anything less.

It is God’s unconditional love that draws us to Him, and it is our unconditional love toward others in His name that will draw others to Him. He wants us to be conduits of His love and love people in His place. This is God’s plan—His design—It’s how He works.

Have you ever done something for someone where you truly sacrificed a lot of time, energy, and perhaps even hard-earned money, and when you were done blessing that person, they seemed ungrateful? I think we have all experienced that at some time. Or perhaps someone close to you has betrayed you or devalued you in some way. These can be extremely tough situations that have the potential to leave us feeling hurt, rejected, and even resentful. But the question remains, do you love others unconditionally? Perhaps these are times of testing in our lives. If we are to pass the test, we will have to choose to love others with Gods love and trust in His strength to continue to be a conduit of His love.

Human love finds it impossible to love unconditionally, but we have the love of God in us as believers in Jesus Christ, and we can let that love flow freely, without conditions. Man’s love fails, but God’s does not. Man’s love comes to an end, but God’s does not. There may be times when we cannot love others in our own human strength, but we can love them with God’s love. The true love of God doesn’t depend on feelings; it is based on decision. They don’t have to deserve it. In fact, sometimes I think the less they deserve it, the more beautiful and impacting it is.

“Love, love, love…love is all you need.” John Lennon and the Beatles were truly on to something. Love is truly all you need. The question is do you know and are you connected to the one who created love—the very one who is love? The power of His love is without limits and when we walk in His love and apply it to the various situations in our lives, we are representing (or re-presenting) Jesus. Empowered by His love! What an awesome life to live! Everybody now…🎶Love is all you need 🎶😊

Blessed by the Best,

Mark