But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Valentine’s day is filled with anticipation – Roses, chocolates, romantic messages, a fancy meal… This is our notion of the perfect celebration. But expectations don’t always come true. There may not be any flowers, sweets, cards, or romantic dinners. Instead, February 14 passes by as if it were any other day, with no attention paid to it.
But today should be a day of celebration. Why? God made us with the capacity to love, to give and accept love from others. He gave up his only son for us, setting the highest standard for love. Wow. I can’t image doing that as a parent. According to Romans 5:8, God shows his love for us by the fact that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. God has a great love for us.
The Bible is replete with references to God’s immense, unfailing, and abounding love. For instance, I John 4 describes the depth of God’s love and his mandate to love others. love for others We have the chance to love our loved ones, friends, neighbours, and more on Valentine’s Day.
What God thinks about love
Regarding love, God has a LOT to say. The Bible makes around 300 references to the concept of “loving.” This provides everyone of us the chance to educate ourselves on what love is and how it should behave.
I believe it is fitting to begin with this scripture as we explore God’s perspective on love: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Wow. To believe that the only reason Jesus first loved us is the same reason we love our spouses, families, children, and friends. We come first in love. Jesus loved us first.
And in Ephesians 3:17-19 it says “…I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (emphasis is mine).
A love that is greater than knowledge. A love so vast, so long, so high, and so deep that we cannot comprehend or understand it. God cares about you. Allow that to soak into your mind and emotions for a moment. Thank God for His never-ending love for you. You are adored by the King of Kings. Instead of emphasizing our anguish and hurt caused by a loved one in the past, we must emphasize the truth that Jesus loves us. This will never change.
Love One Another
Isn’t it strange that we frequently choose the pursuit of love from other people or things, rather than the love that comes from God, after allowing that idea to permeate your soul? Shouldn’t God be sufficient? Now, I do think it’s important for us to give and accept love from others, as well as to pursue them with that love. After all, we are commanded to love one another in the Bible.
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Jesus fills our hearts with his love so that we can pour it out on others, even those who are difficult to love. But in order to learn how to love others in the first place, we must first allow ourselves to be loved by Christ.
What the Bible Says About Love
These verses spring to mind as I consider the several Bible passages that discuss love:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: 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.”
1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Revisit these verses. God’s Word has great power. Read the following verses aloud. Allow God’s TRUTH to fill your head and heart with His love.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
His message is VITAL and ACTIVE. What a beautiful thing! It’s a great verse. I feel closer to God as a result. As though He was reading those words to me while we were both sitting down. TO ME specifically. That I may hear what He wants me to hear for that day. That it would serve as a reminder for me to ask the Holy Spirit to transform the way I think about love every day by renewing my mind and heart.
A Reminder of the Love of Christ
Valentine’s day serves as a reminder of our love for our partners, families, friends, and even employees. But in the end, we need to be reminded of Christ’s love for His church.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13)
The love that Christ has for us, His wife, is the greatest love that there is. He cared about us so much that He came and gladly gave His life in our place, taking the punishment of death that we deserved as a result of our sin. And those Christians who are married are expected to demonstrate this love in a special way through their marriage.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. (Ephesians 5:25–29)
Do your wives make you willing to die for them, husbands? Yes, we must treat our wives with that kind of affection.
If you are married, I urge you to resolve to make it a point to be intentional in the upcoming year so that your marriage will represent Christ’s love for the church.
Additionally, take use of tomorrow to share Christ’s love with your friends, family, and coworkers who are not yet saved. What a fantastic chance to share with them about the One who loves them enough to die for them at this time of year when so many people are lonely! That is a gift that will endure longer than a box of chocolates or a bouquet of 12 long-stemmed roses, and what’s even better is that it is free!
God bless you.