“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5
When it comes to love, actions always speak louder than words. Maybe that’s why Valentine’s Day finds our loved ones showered with flowers, candy, and cards. We are showing our love for someone by our actions.
A little more than 2,000 years ago, God put His words of love into action by sending His Son, Jesus to become our Saviour. It is because of this great love that we are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:13) when we will be united with the Lord forever.
The hope we cling to as Christians will never cause us to be ashamed. Why? Because we known that God does indeed love us! His love is decreed throughout the Bible, and its foundation is sure! God’s love penetrates our hearts and souls, and we know without a doubt that we are the object of His divine love. Perhaps the most famous Bible verse, John 3:16, affirms this love for us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Not only did He sacrifice His beloved Son, Jesus, but He did so while we were still His enemy. Romans 5:8 tells us “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Even knowing how depraved we would be, how sinful we would live, the Bible also says in Jeremiah 31:3 that “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” God has loved us forever and will continue to do so!
Additionally, God wanted us to have no misconceptions about the extent of His love, so He gave us His Holy Spirit to confirm this great love for us through the illumination of the Scriptures, which testify to the enormity of His love for us. Here are a few verses that manifest the love of God.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” Ephesians 2:4-5
Whether you receive a remembrance of love from someone or not on this Valentine’s Day, you do have a gift from God to remind you of His great love for you. It’s the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Still not convinced? Open it up and go to the concordance. Look up the word “love,” then read those verses. When you are finished, there will be no doubt that God loves you! Happy Valentine’s Day!
In letters of crimson, God wrote His love
On a hillside so long, long ago
For you and for me, Jesus died
And love’s greatest story was told
I love you, I love you
That’s what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
I love you, written in red
(from “Written in Red” by Gordon Jensen)
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37
**********
Is God your valentine? If so, how have you shown your love for Him?