We are seeing the disintegration of social fabric here and around the world.

     Love raises the standard of community equality, aspirations and care.

Do you remember the great old song, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love..."? Do you think that might be true?

I hear a lot of talk about what the world needs is 'tough love' and 'discipline.' And, I'm constantly being reminded by the politicians that we are in a 'war on terrorism,' a 'war on drugs,' a 'war on poverty,' a 'war on crime,' et al.

Might I pose an alternate reading to John 3:16? What if it said, 'For God so hated sin and despised Satan, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'

Doesn't God hate sin and isn't there enmity between God and Satan? Yes, I feel sure that He does and that there is...however, that's not the approach God used or uses.

The scripture actually does say, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." It then continues in verse 17 to say, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

God didn't 'get tough on...' nor declare a 'war on...' and He hasn't called us to 'get tough on...' nor declare a 'war on...' He has called us to 'love.'

For God so loved the world...love raises the standard of community equality, aspirations and care.

The old gospel song says, "Love lifted me." Yes it does, and it will lift those around us. It will lift the broken and the broken hearted. It will lift the aggrieved and bereaved. It will lift hopes, dreams and aspirations. It will lift those who need care and those who care.

We who are lifted by love must sing "I love you with the love of the Lord."