This month there are two special dates that remind us of love. The first is February 14th when we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. Little is known about St. Valentine, but the day has been associated with romantic love for centuries. The second is February 29th (because 2016 is a leap year). Traditionally, women can propose marriage to men only on that day. Both these days remind us of the love between men and women which finds its fulfilment in marriage. It is good to celebrate this kind of love.
The Bible reminds us of a greater love than this – the love that God has for us.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10 WEB)
Our love for one another is imperfect – but God perfectly loves us. We may find it hard (or even seemingly impossible) to continue loving someone who has hurt us or disappointed us in any way. But God continues to love us despite all our faults and failings and the many times when we disobey him and let him down. In his love, God does not excuse or overlook our wrongdoing – he has done something about it.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 WEB)
If we believe and trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ then God will forgive us everything we have done wrong. Jesus willingly died to bear the punishment that we deserve and then rose from the grave to show that he had conquered sin and death. That shows an amazing love for us from both God the Father and Jesus Christ.
This February, let us also celebrate God’s true love for us. If you would like to know more of God’s love, then try reading John’s gospel (available to read free in Bible apps on your smartphone if you find that more convenient than print). Or come to church one Sunday – you would be made very welcome and that is completely free too!