Because

He was just 16 in a time when children were seen and not heard. Only a little while ago he had been an unbeliever. But he came to know Jesus as Savior, as Friend. His heart was changed so radically that he decided he had to write a song and sing what his heart was feeling. It was the only song anyone ever knew he wrote. It was first published anonymously and only after his untimely death 11 years later did anyone know that William Ralph Featherston had written this heart song.

Are we living and loving "because He first loved?"

I love this simple song.

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.