For some, Valentine’s Day is a time for love, high quality household moments, and even celebrating ‘Galentine’s’ with girlfriends. However for others, it could really feel like simply one other reminder of loneliness. Irrespective of which class you end up in, I wish to remind us of 1 reality that we are able to all maintain on to – God is the true supply of affection.
God: Origin of True Love
God is love (1 John 4:8). Since love can’t exist in isolation, He created us from love and for love. Like a mum or dad making ready a house for his or her new-born, God crafted this world – mountains, bushes, rivers, the solar, animals – all in preparation for our arrival (Genesis 1-2). A gorgeous starting, proper?
But, humanity, God’s beloved creation, did not reciprocate God’s love. From the very starting, Adam and Eve selected rise up, permitting the sin of conceitedness to take root. Mankind fell (Genesis 3). This sample of brokenness has continued all through historical past.
Nonetheless, as a result of God is love, He couldn’t drive us to like Him again. Love have to be a alternative, not an obligation. However in His mercy, He additionally could not bear to look at us perish. That is why “He gave His one and solely Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish however have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus’ total life, loss of life, and resurrection reveal the depth and magnitude of God’s love.
All He has ever desired is to be reunited with us.
God: Mannequin of True Love
As a result of we’re created in God’s picture (Genesis 1:27), we’re designed to mirror and search His love. Which means that with out Him, we are able to by no means really feel actually entire.
The Bible says in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever doesn’t love doesn’t know God, as a result of God is love.” Each lovely side of affection – persistence, contentment, respect, humility, selflessness, forgiveness, righteousness, safety, hope, belief, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) – flows straight from Him.
He’s the last word mannequin for each sort of love we are supposed to share – whether or not familial, platonic, or romantic. As our Father, He nurtures and guides us; as our closest pal, Jesus walks beside us; and as our bridegroom, He loves us with unwavering devotion.
1 John 4:19 says “We love as a result of He first cherished us.” It is like an artist’s masterpiece. Different artists might attempt to recreate it, it could even come shut, however it could by no means be the identical as the unique artist’s. With out God, there isn’t a real love.
Methods to Reply to God’s Love
So how can we love Him again? Just by accepting His grace present in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. 2 John 1:6 reminds us, “And that is love: that we stroll in obedience to His instructions. As you have got heard from the start, His command is that you just stroll in love.”
However what precisely does this love seem like in motion? Jesus Himself offers us the reply, “Love the Lord your God with all of your coronary heart, with all of your soul, with all of your thoughts, and with all of your power. The second is that this: ‘Love your neighbour as your self.’ There is no such thing as a commandment higher than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
Real love isn’t just a sense – it’s a alternative to like God wholeheartedly and lengthen that like to others.
Verses to dwell on this Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to put aside time for a ‘date’ with God. Have a deep dialog with Him by way of prayer, meditate on His Phrase and let His love fill your coronary heart.
Let at the present time be a reminder that you’re deeply recognized and unconditionally cherished by the One who created love itself.
Listed here are some lovely scriptures that remind us of God’s love:
“That is how God confirmed His love amongst us: He despatched His one and solely Son into the world that we’d reside by way of Him” – 1 John 4:9.
“That is love: not that we cherished God, however that He cherished us and despatched His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” – 1 John 4:10.
“However God demonstrates His personal love for us on this: Whereas we had been nonetheless sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8.
“For I’m satisfied that neither loss of life nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the current nor the longer term, nor any powers, neither peak nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be capable of separate us from the love of God that’s in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 8:38-39.
“Better love has nobody than this: to put down one’s life for one’s mates” – John 15:13.
