If That Isn’t Love

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).

If you have followed me for awhile you know my favorite topic is the Love God has and continues to show us. Without that no other hymn topics matter. I have liked If That Isn’t Love for many years hearing first in the 1970s. In the time of hymn history the song is modern, though now more than fifty years old. It is of southern gospel genre but has also made the way to large segments of Protestant churches in the US.

One of my favorite verses is one of the most simplistic verses in the Bible, yet full of truth. It describes the marches love of God in one verse. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8-9).

God’s love didn’t stop when He sent His son to be our redemption. The love of God is infinite and unfailing. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children (Psalm 103:15-17).

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7). Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22). My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber (Psalm 121:2-3)

Because of God’s love and the sacrifice of His son Jesus we know we will one day we will be with them in Heaven. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).

Dottie Rambo

Dottie Rambo wrote the lyrics and music to If That Isn’t Love in 1969. The Rambo’s recorded the song first, soon followed by a host of gospel singers such as the Blackwood Brothers and Jimmie Davis but also by entertainers such as Elvis Presley.

He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing His destiny.
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha,
There to lay down His life for me.

Chorus: If that isn’t love the ocean is dry,
There’re no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can’t fly!
If that isn’t love then heaven’s a myth.
There’s no feeling like this
If that isn’t love!

Even in death He remembered
The thief hanging by His side;
He spoke with love and compassion
Then He took him to Paradise.

Sources: Diana Leagh Matthews, King James Bible