Love conjures up many different thoughts and memories for people. Valentine’s Day was last week and its focus, of course, is on love. Most stores you walked into, had hearts displayed in the form of cards or balloons or bouquets. Several jewelry stores capitalized on this day. Couples got engaged and some held their wedding ceremony on Valentine’s Day. The evening of February 14th is popular for restaurants also. It’s one of those times that reservations are absolutely needed. It’s good to celebrate love! However, the greatest love we can ever know is that which originates in God. God’s love for us came in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ. True and complete and perfect love is synonymous with the Gospel – Jesus’ death for mankind in order that we might have a relationship with the Father.
We like the warm, fuzzy thoughts of love. We should anticipate the blessings that come from being a child of God. But, the reality is, sometimes love is hard. If you are God’s child, meaning you have accepted His gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, then you have been, are being or will be disciplined at some point in your life. Expect it! God disciplines those He loves. Our Pastor taught on this passage in Hebrews Chapter 12 a few Sundays ago. His message challenged us to think of discipline in the right way: as training, not always punishment. The discipline of God is a reminder of His love for us. You can download a copy of his live sermon here, you will be blessed!: http://www.valleybible.net/Sermons/mov/sermon2018-02-11.mov
While we know God’s love is always for good, even when it’s tough, the love we show to one another can disappoint. Consider. Do you sometimes get tired of loving those who are difficult? Have you ever disappointed someone by not acting in a loving manner towards them? Human hearts can grow weary of trying. But God never grows weary. Imagine God saying to you, ‘Just a minute, I’m busy now’, or ‘I’ve already given you a chance, too late’, and ‘I’m sorry, but I’m just too tired to bother with you right now’.
Isa 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
I can get tired of myself and my inability to see things correctly. To remain patient and act lovingly towards others can be challenging at times. To forgive myself for blowing it is difficult. But God doesn’t have limits to His love. When I’m unlovable, God is still there. So not only does God not grow weary, He loves in spite of our shortcomings. This truth should be incredibly encouraging to God’s children.
Job 11:7-9 "Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? "They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? "Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
God’s love is unconditional. It is not dependent on me or my actions. God’s love is not a reward for good works! It is not earned because of my merit. I could never do enough and I could certainly never do enough perfectly, which is His standard. God’s love towards His children is freely given in grace.
1Jo 3:1a See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and [such] we are.
Consider. God has given us the blessing of experiencing love in this world among our families, friends, spouses and children. But this love we know is only a small sample of real love. God is love. Therefore, we must look to Him for what love truly looks like.
God’s love is UNFAILING:
Isa 49:15-16 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.
God’s love is SECURE:
Ro 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s love GUIDES us:
Ho 11:4 I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; and I bent down [and] fed them.
God’s love is FOREVER:
Jer 31:3 The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.
God’s love is UNDESERVED:
Ps 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth.
Ro 4:4-5 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,
Ro 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Because God has shown His love towards us, we are able to love others. So celebrate the love you’ve received by reaching out in love to those around you. Practice true love which is patient and kind, not jealous, not proud, it is decent and it is not selfish, it is not easily angered and it is good through and through. True love is being happy for others, it patiently endures and is full of trust and hope. The love born from a heart that follows God always blesses others. And, we practice this love all the time, every moment of every day.
1Co 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind, [and] is not jealous; love does not brag [and] is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong [suffered,] 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8a Love never fails;
Dear Lord, help us to Love others as you Love us!
