There is a song titled “Love Changes Everything” released back in 1989. One of the lines goes: “Love changes everything, how you live and how you die.” If you have ever been in love, you know that love changes many things, if not everything. People who are in love begin to exhibit changes in their behaviour. Some have a silly grin on their faces, a lift in their walk, or an energized spirit, and they start doing things they have never done before. From everyday mundane tasks to long-term planning, there is a visible change. Such is the behaviour of most people who are in love.
The reverse is also true for those who do not feel loved or experience love in their lives. Some may resort to unhealthy ways to get the attention of those who deprive them of such love. Others try to get love and affection from significant others and still do not feel loved. The nature of human love can drive people to extremes. Whether we are in or out of love, we will always do something as a result of our experiences.
As believers, our understanding of love operates on another level—a heavenly level, if I may say. Ephesians 1:5–6 says: In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Here, Paul reminds us that we were loved long before we came into existence. Paul is not talking about love between humans, but a love that comes from literally out of this world. We are loved by the one and only true God! To be informed that God loves us—mere mortals—should surely lead to a change in our behaviour for the rest of our lives.
Such is the experience of the writer of the new song we are going to learn this Sunday. The worship song “All to Honour Jesus” is a prayer to put Christian faith into action. Christ loved us first, and in response, we grow to love Him too. Having been informed by Scripture that God loves us deeply, our visible transformation should then be to obey and put into practice what Christ has commanded us to do. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Keeping God’s commandments will result in tangible expressions of holiness and obedience. These themes served as the starting point for the birth of this song. Songwriter Sue began writing the lyrics after being convicted that “our love for Jesus must go hand in hand with action: compassion for the poor; seeking justice for the oppressed.”
The song is beautifully composed for the congregation to sing together as a form of prayer, asking the Lord to change our hearts and behaviours so we can serve one another—especially those in need—so that they can hear the gospel of Christ too. It asks the Lord to make our hearts holy, give us the courage to be His hands and feet, and provide us with the strength to share the grace of the cross. In her words, she writes, “All of this is to bring glory to our Saviour Jesus. He is the ultimate servant… giver of love… ultimate provider of hope.”
May all we do bring glory and honour to Christ.
Rev Loliro Sani
ALL TO HONOUR CHRIST
Words and Music by: Sue Lack & Scott Lavender © CityAlight Music
VERSE 1
Father, may I serve like my Saviour
Give me eyes to see what You see
Teach my sinful heart to be humble
Help me be Your hands and feet
VERSE 2
Father, may I love like my Saviour
As He had compassion on me
May I work for justice and mercy
For the ones in greatest need
CHORUS
God of love would You lead me
Take this heart, make it holy
Help me serve through the strength of Christ
All to honour Jesus with my life
All to honour Jesus with my life
VERSE 3
Father, may I tell of my Saviour
How He offers hope for the lost
Help me share the grace and forgiveness
That He showed me at the cross
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Praise my Saviour for His mercy
Praise the Servant King
All to Jesus be the glory
All to honour Him
BRIDGE
FINAL CHORUS
God of love would You lead me
Take this heart, make it holy
Help me serve through the strength of Christ
All to honour Jesus with my life
All to honour Jesus with my life
