Today marks the 14th February which also means the celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day. With its misty history dating as far back as the 3rd century, this love story began with a Christian martyr named Valentine. He served under the Roman Emperor Claudius II and was instructed not to perform weddings for soldiers as the emperor saw single men as better soldiers. Valentine, against the ruling of the emperor, continued to perform the weddings of soldiers who were in love which then led to his imprisonment and a death penalty. Whilst in prison, it was reported that Valentine fell in love with the prison officer’s daughter and prior to his execution, he wrote a love letter to his lover signed, “Your Valentine.”
Fastforward 17 centuries and what now takes place is a commercial tradition of people giving cards, flowers, gifts and confectionaries to their loved ones. For those who are married or in a relationship, today will be a day where you take care of your partner and express how much you love them (fellas, today will be a good day to strut those beautiful feathers of yours, do not disappoint!!). For the rest of us singles, today will be a day of creativity. We get to be loving to ourselves first and foremost, as well as those around us who need to be reminded that they are loved and cared for too.
One other way of celebrating St Valentine’s Day is to be reminded of the unwavering love God has for us. This, to me, is the greatest love story ever told.
‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’ – John 3:16
This is one of the most beautiful verses in the bible because it summaries in 24 words, God’s saving work to bring us from perishing to eternal life. Throughout history, no greater love comes close to the love God demonstrated on The Cross for us, His children. His Son brought an end to the cycle from the old testament of us rebelling and turning our backs on God time and time again.
Nothing can be compared to God’s love that is found in Jesus Christ. Here are 11 words that helps untangle God’s magnificent love revealed to us in John 3:16.
It is JUST
At the core of God’s saving sacrifice, His love for us is Just. For we know that none of us are good. No not one (Romans 3:10-12). By nature, we are not lovers of the light but of darkness. Our works show that we aren’t inherently lovers of the things of God. From our heart flows evil thoughts (Matthew 15:19). Even the good deeds we do are driven by personal gain and selfish motives rather, than seeking the glory of God.
This is the reason we needed saving. Just as we see in a courtroom, where someone is found guilty by the judge and is sentenced, God hates and must punish sin. If what we truly deserve was up to us, we will be condemned by God’s own wrath (John 3:36).
Just as in the courtroom scenario, justice had to be served for you and I – this justice comes in the form of God’s Son, Jesus. The love of God rescued us from the wrath of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
It is ENDLESS
Not only does God’s love rescue us from the wrath, condemnation and torment that we deserve, He also promises that this love will never run dry. For His love not only applies to previous generations and our generation, but also to the generations to come. For He is a faithful God, who longs to keep His covenant of love to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:9).
It is SUPERNATURAL
Basking in God’s saving and never-ending love means we get to be His and He ours. He became our almighty father and because God is love, we also become sons and daughters of His beautiful love family. How amazing is this!
In my mind, to think God bought me with His love through faith in Jesus Christ, it makes absolutely no sense. I had nothing to contribute to His love poured out for me other than my uncleanness, filthy rags and sins. In return, God traded my uncleanness for righteousness (Romans 3:22), my filthy rags for clean clothes and my sins for a place in His kingdom as joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). I have been justified through faith in Him!
It is UNDEFILED
When Moses had an encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3, God revealed himself as the Holy God by instructing Moses to take off His sandals because the ground he was walking on was holy ground (Exodus 3:5).
To say God is Holy is to say that He is absolutely perfect in all of His ways. His whole being is completely spotless without blemish. Undefiled from any sin or corruption, God’s holiness is high above any other and no one could come close nor be compared to His majesty (Psalm 40:5).
Therefore, because we know that God is Love (1 John 4:16), we also can acknowledge that His love is a holy love. This means Jesus’ blood shed love on the cross for us was undefiled, pure and without blemish. This sacrifice of God was from the purest of hearts to save us without requiring anything in return. The love we express in this world cannot come anywhere close to the undefiled, immeasurable love God expresses to us through Jesus His Son.
It is STRONG
With God’s holy undefiled love comes His awesome power and His unfathomable glory to demonstrate such great love for us.
His love is stronger than all the enemies that surround and all the fears that abide within (1 John 4:18). His love sets us free from the lies of the enemy and gives us a new identity in Christ Jesus. The winds and storms of life may be great and strong, but God’s love is greater and stronger.
His love was powerful enough to break open the red sea (Exodus 14:21). This same unchanging, endless love is still available for you and I today. For nothing, neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
It is COMMITTED
Just as we see in the ‘parable of the lost sheep’ in Luke 15, God’s love is fully committed to saving us. In this text, Jesus was gathered around by a group of people including a few tax collectors and sinners and he set out a parable to them saying –
“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
This demonstrates how committed God’s love is that He leaves the 99 to chase after you and I. No matter how far or how long you run, His loves still chases after you. There is no time limit to His love because He is a God that is not restrained by time (Psalm 90:4).
It is HUMBLE
In humility, God’s love is always ready and willing to forgive. It isn’t prone to pride, unlike the way we sometimes express love to each other.
To put your life on the line for someone else showcases great selflessness. Jesus demonstrated such selfless love by putting himself on the line for you and I. His love meant He didn’t consider himself first nor was He looking to gain anything by being our justifier. Instead, He came down to earth to dwell with us so we could one day have complete fellowship with Him (1 Corinthians 1:9).
It RENEWS
During His ministry on earth, Jesus performed many miracles and wonders, demonstrating His supernatural healing power. One of the many miracles He performed was when He raised a widow’s son (Luke 7:11-14). Jesus showed compassion on the widow, who was among the crowds and brought her child back to life.
Our hope and trust in His love also means that we will never be disappointed when we run towards Him, for His love restores and renews our souls and makes us new and alive again.
It INSPIRES
And because of God everlasting love for us, we are also able to love others around us. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to showcase its fruits which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
As it is the case that without faith and belief in Jesus, it is impossible to see God, so it is also the case that without His love we unable to express love to one another.
It is SANCTIFYING
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Not only does God’s love inspire us to follow His example of how to love (John 13:34-35), it also purifies us to become more and more like Him. Through His renewing love for us, we are being washed and cleansed day by day. His love doesn’t give up on us. Although this process may be slow, we can be rest assured that His mercy and love for us will be new every morning (Lamentation 3:22-23).
It is TRUE
Finally, God’s love is real. His love is the best blessing He has given to you and I. His love is the true love our heart desires. Only Christ can truly satisfy this desire and this is done through His sacrifice on the cross.
I will end today’s post with this quote which embodies the greatest love story ever told, and points our hearts where He could be found –
‘the shape of true love isn’t a diamond. it’s a cross’
– Alicia Bruxvoort.
