No Greater Love
Two days from now, we will be celebrating the highlight of this month- February 14. As I sit back, trying to figure what is the importance of Valentine’s Day. It made me realized one thing, the essence of all these buzzes about Valentine’s Day. Then, I remembered the sharing we had in BCF-Solomon Group.
WHO
In a worldly view, when you talk about Valentines, people usually come up with names of St. Valentine, where it actually derived its name. Eros, the Greek god of love. And ‘cupid’ or ‘Amor’ in Roman Mythology. Well, Cupid is depicted as an infant boy holding a bow and an arrow matching two different individuals. I believed that, we have our different beliefs regarding this matter. But what separates my belief is an Eternal, Unchanging, Triune, Faithful, Holy, Sinless, Perfect, Just and Sovereign representation of who and what love is- GOD.
GOD IS LOVE
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 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.”– 1 John 4:8,16 (NIV)
God doesn’t possessed the characteristic of love because He himself is the representation of love. He is the perfect definition of love and His name is synonymous to it.
What do the Bible teach regarding God’s goodness?
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” –Psalm 145:9 (NIV)
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” – Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” – Acts 14:17 (NIV)
God is compassionate to all. He wants us to love and pray for everyone, even your enemy. He is generous and He always provides (Jehovah Jireh).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 (NIV)
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
We are just humans and prone to make sins. No one is perfect in the eyes of our perfect God. We all fell short to his standards that death is the only way to atone our sins. But because of the cross, the sacrificial lamb and the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, His only son, we are redeemed. We are freely given the Salvation because of God’s grace, mercy and love. He loved us that he gave his only Son to die for our sins, once and for all.
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” – Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that 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 8:35-39 (NIV)
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—” – Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1 (NIV)
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” – Revelation 3:19 (NIV)
Since the beginning of time and all his creation, God already loved us. Not just any kind of love, but – Agape love. An unconditional love. A never ending love that surpasses time and space. That even in the midst of our trials, persecutions, through any adversities and celebrations. In our triumphs and in our lowest, he was always there and will always be there for us. That is how amazing his love for us.
God’s love cannot be paid no matter how many times you die or how many sacrifices you make.
He has given us salvation through his grace and not by our works nor the works of others. Because of his love, he made us his children and heirs of his throne, IF, we only believe and allow him and the Holy Spirit to reside and take over in our lives.
Some of us may falter in faith, lost hope, lost vision or question him why everything keeps on falling apart. My breathren, he love us that he needs to discipline us in order for us to realize our mistakes. He made it for a purpose, a purpose that aligns to his plan for us, all for his glory. He gave us free will because he wants us to grow in love and in faith to him. When was the last time you pray? And seek him? Seek him from the depth of your heart. Allow him to give you wisdom to know and understand his will.
NO GREATER LOVE
No greater love there is, than the love of God for us. It is not only during Valentines, that he loves us. But everyday, every minute and every second. The good news is God loves us, regardless of anything.
Jesus loves you! Live by it!
Reference: FCCI- Discipleship Training Manual
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No Greater Love
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