Imagine a culture that has been ravaged by a deadly, contagious disease. There is no hope for immediate survival or for the sustenance of future generations because the blood of the people has been irrevocably contaminated. There is one doctor who has the cure: his only son has not contracted the disease—and if he willingly sacrifices his blood for the dying, the entire race can be saved.

Such is the story of a humanity struck with the disease of hatred. Hatred consumes and contaminates, pervading the blood stream without mercy. All effort to purge the disease from the system is futile—it is destined to consume if not confronted. We have seen the devastating effects of hatred throughout the course of history, but there is a cure.

The Bible declares the truth of what love was meant to be: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (I Corinthians 13:4-8).

None can read such a prescription for love and find themselves without fault at some point, if not all. An honest, careful and thorough examination of the heart and mind from the beginning of life to the present will find traces of contamination within the bloodstream: “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The glory of God is unconditional, supernatural love. To fall short of this glorious love is sin—and all have sinned in this way.

The sickness of mankind is one of hate, and only love can overcome hate. But a person must first recognize he is sick before he acknowledges his need for a cure. This is where the Doctor comes in. God the Father sent His one and only Son to demonstrate the ultimate love, and to shed His own blood that ours might be purified of hatred. When Jesus died on the cross, He offered His blood to purify a hateful world. When He rose from the dead, He offered the gift of the Holy Spirit to enable His people to live the otherwise impossible life of love.

God has given men the opportunity to accept or to reject His cure. To accept is to receive the cleansing flow of His blood: a spiritual blood transfusion. His blood carries the DNA of love, and whoever receives His blood receives His DNA. Anyone not living in love is not living in God, and those who live in love live in God. Love overflows from gratitude for His miraculous cure. And love is the only cure for this world.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

True Love…is POWERFUL (Day 8, #50ShadesOfTrueLove)