For some, Valentine’s Day is a time for love, quality family moments, and even celebrating ‘Galentine’s’ with girlfriends. But for others, it will probably feel like just one other reminder of loneliness. No matter which category you end up in, I would love to remind us of 1 truth that we will all hold on to – God is the true source of affection.
God: Origin of True Love
God is love (1 John 4:8). Since love cannot exist in isolation, He created us from love and for love. Like a parent preparing a house for his or her new-born, God crafted this world – mountains, trees, rivers, the sun, animals – all in preparation for our arrival (Genesis 1-2). A wonderful starting, right?
Yet, humanity, God’s beloved creation, didn’t reciprocate God’s love. From the very starting, Adam and Eve selected rebel, allowing the sin of arrogance to take root. Mankind fell (Genesis 3). This pattern of brokenness has continued throughout history.
However, because God is love, He couldn’t force us to like Him back. Love should be a alternative, not an obligation. But in His mercy, He also couldn’t bear to observe us perish. That’s why “He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus’ entire life, death, and resurrection reveal the depth and magnitude of God’s love.
All He has ever desired is to be reunited with us.
God: Model of True Love
Because we’re created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), we’re designed to reflect and seek His love. This signifies that without Him, we will never feel truly whole.
The Bible says in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever doesn’t love doesn’t know God, because God is love.” Every beautiful aspect of affection – patience, contentment, respect, humility, selflessness, forgiveness, righteousness, protection, hope, trust, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) – flows directly from Him.
He is the last word model for each sort of love we are supposed to share – whether familial, platonic, or romantic. As our Father, He nurtures and guides us; as our closest friend, Jesus walks beside us; and as our bridegroom, He loves us with unwavering devotion.
1 John 4:19 says “We love because He first loved us.” It’s like an artist’s masterpiece. Other artists may attempt to recreate it, it could even come close, but it will probably never be similar to the unique artist’s. Without God, there is no such thing as a true love.
How to Respond to God’s Love
So how can we love Him back? Simply by accepting His grace present in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. 2 John 1:6 reminds us, “And that is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you will have heard from the start, His command is that you simply walk in love.”
But what exactly does this love seem like in motion? Jesus Himself gives us the reply, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength. The second is that this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There isn’t any commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
True love is just not just a sense – it’s a alternative to like God wholeheartedly and extend 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 conversation with Him through prayer, meditate on His Word and let His love fill your heart.
Let at the present time be a reminder that you simply are deeply known and unconditionally loved by the One who created love itself.
Here are some beautiful scriptures that remind us of God’s love:
“This is how God showed His love amongst us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we would pass though Him” – 1 John 4:9.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” – 1 John 4:10.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us on this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8.
“For I’m convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the current nor the long run, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will have the ability to separate us from the love of God that’s in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 8:38-39.
“Greater love has nobody than this: to put down one’s life for one’s friends” – John 15:13.
