Skip to main content

"The Perfect Love of Christ" by John Long: Mercy That Draws Us Near


John Long - The Perfect Love of Christ(By Jasper Tan) It's the "love month" already, and there's no other way to celebrate it best but to remember the greatest lover of all, Jesus Christ. In John Long's CCM Folk song "The Perfect Love of Christ", John emotionally sings about how overwhelming it is to be loved by Jesus. All that He did for us is something that we cannot easily replicate, yet we usually take it for granted in favor of other earthly pleasures. We always want to say that we love someone, yet we can't fully back it up with a love that is pure. Because often than not, there's still a piece of our selfishness residing in our hearts. But Jesus does not have that. His love is selfless and always puts others' welfare before Himself. For how can He still love the sinners that wronged Him? That mocked Him and took away His life? As John emotionally sings these lines, "Oh my God, how could it be? That You would love me, That You would hold, That You would take the ones that killed the Son of God and adopt them," you'd be choked up in tears if you are able to internalize the magnitude of that love. All we need is Christ's Perfect Love. 

I love how the soaring and grandiose melodies blend so well with John's emotionally charged vocalization of the song. There's a storytelling quality here that draws you in to internalize and come to understand this love that Jesus has given us. My favorite part is when he starts singing these lines, "How deep, how wide, Is the perfect love of Christ? How deep, how wide Is Your love? How deep, how wideIs the perfect love of Christ? How deep, how wide Is Your love?" These lines are just so beautiful, how these questions just put us in awe as we behold the grandiosity of Jesus love. Do we understand how beautiful this love is? Are we willing to understand it more? And if we do, are we willing to give it and share it with another in this world? These are the questions that are running through my mind after listening to the song. If only we appreciate how much Jesus loves us and do not take this for granted, maybe we can change the world for the better. They say don't be a martyr for love. But I ask, why not? Didn't Jesus show us the way?

(Related scripture: Luke 23:34; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:18)

Connect with John Long

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://medium.com/christian-music-today/

Tags:

Popular posts

"Jesus I Do" by John Perkins: Surrendering to Saving Grace

(by Jasper Tan) John Perkins' latest release, "Jesus I Do," is a soulful and heartfelt Christian Contemporary song that offers a very personal testimony of John finding his way back to God while navigating a turbulent time in his life. You could feel Perkins' emotions poured into this song, knowing that he had been struggling emotionally before he found inspiration to write this song. The song's arrangement opens with a contemplative mood, driven by acoustic piano, and builds into a more layered sound. As the song progresses, soulful elements are incorporated, which are further enhanced by the emotive background harmonies that serve as the foundation of the song.  The lyrics of the song make use of metaphors on a maritime journey that mirrors one's spiritual awakening. How being alone on the ocean, drifting directionless until finding a profound sense of being saved, that one can only experience in the solace of God. The chorus is a simple yet very powerful de...
More >>

"Soon and Very Soon" by Robby Robinson: Why This Classic Still Hits Like the First Time

What if one song could carry the weight of every hardship you've ever faced, and still leave you smiling? That's exactly what Andraé Crouch accomplished in 1978 when he wrote "Soon and Very Soon," and this new recording by Robby Robinson, Tony Galla, and Ray Reynolds makes sure you feel every bit of it.  The song is based on Revelation 21:3–4, reminding us of what's coming: no more crying, no more dying, just the glorious moment we finally see the King. Simple words, but it carries a profound promise.  Crouch was honest about the journey. There are "rivers we must cross" and "mountains we must climb." He emphasizes the truth that faith doesn't erase our struggles — it sustains us through them. God, as the lyrics remind us, will "supply all the strength that we need."   Featuring powerhouse vocalists Tony Galla and Ray Reynolds, Robinson blends this classic gospel energy with a rich, Hammond-organ-driven groove. Rather than a slow...
More >>

"Come Alive" by JONATHYN: Grace Restoring the Broken

(by Jasper Tan) "Come Alive" by JONATHYN is an uplifting CCM-Pop track that talks about spiritual renewal, grace, and finding purpose through our Christian faith. The song dwells on the classic darkness-to-light narrative, which is a common theme for those who are struggling with their Faith. The song begins by describing our state of being in a spiritual exhaustion, mirroring that feeling like we are breathing lead. It also speaks about our life that at times feels like it is dead, despite being alive in this world. This happens when we keep on making the wrong turn, and these frequent mistakes become our frustration. And in a twist of irony, sometimes we are being led to deeper depression, especially if we are clutching for hope, yet this is devoid of a firm foundation. And the chorus is where we are reminded that it is only through God and his gift of hope, which gives us new life and makes us feel much more alive. This is the emotional peak of the song, where the song tra...
More >>