when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die
for a righteous man,
though for a good man
someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates
His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us."
(Romans 5:6-8)
Beloved, the Lord took my Valentine. I planned to use a graphic image of Scripture at the beginning of today's post. It's John 3:16, arranged so that the word "Valentine" is highlighted within the text. Oh, here it is; I don't think He minds if I show you:
But, precious ones, He replaced that sweet and sanitized image with something a little more graphic: a rather gritty but true picture of John 3:16: Jesus--bleeding, suffering, and dying on the cross.
Even as I type this, my fingers hover motionless over the keyboard. Where does one go from there? What can possibly be written or said about that incomparable sacrifice of love? The truth is that God's love is not a fluffy confection, which looks beautiful on the outside but lacks substance on the inside. It's not an artificial treat, which gives you a temporary high but leaves you quickly crashing. It's not perishable. It's not necessarily pretty. And it's definitely not perfunctory.
The love of God, manifested in the death of His Son on the cross, is unequivocal. It is unembellished. And, it is unending.
"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.' "
(Jeremiah 31:3)
Beloved, the love of God for His creation and for those expressly created in His image is real! It is unimaginable. It is life-altering ... and life-saving. "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Psalm 103:17).
And, precious ones, the love of God, this salvation from Christ, is free! It is a gift of God's grace, the ultimate expression of His love, but it is a gift that must be accepted. It is free, but it didn't come cheap. It is priceless, but it was costly. And, precious ones, it is a gift that demands reciprocity.
"But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is
with those who fear Him ..."
the LORD's love is
with those who fear Him ..."
(Psalm 103:17)
Did you catch that? "... the LORD's love is with those who fear Him ..." (my highlighted emphasis). His love is available to all, but the full measure of His grace covers those who love Him in return. Not those who know about Him. Not even those who believe in Him. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:19). God's love is personal. Intimate. Tangible. It requires relationship.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). What a wonderful--and often misunderstood--Scripture. The first part sounds glorious: " ... in all things God works for the good ...", but we mustn't stop before the qualifier: "of those who love Him" (my highlighted emphasis).
Beloved, we must not take the love of God for granted. We must not sugarcoat Christ's sacrifice. We must not exchange His gift for artificial substitutes. Above all, this Valentine's Day and everyday, we must not fail to accept His love, and we must not fail to return it.
Precious Father, Lord, I thank You for the gift of Your love and Your amazing grace. I do not know how You can continue to love and cherish us when we so often take Your love for granted, but precious Father, I am so grateful that You do. Lord, let us not forget that Your love came with a price tag too high for us to afford (reference Psalm 49:8; 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23), but let us rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus Christ paid that price in full. And, "... how priceless is Your unfailing love!" (Psalm 36:7). Precious Father, I love You. I love Your Spirit. And I love Your Son, Jesus Christ, in Whose Name I pray. Amen.
Jesus Christ laid down His life for us."
(1 John 3:16)
" 'Love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind
and with all your strength.' "
(Mark 12:30; see also
Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, 11:13-14, 13:1-4, 30:6;
Joshua 22:5; Joel 2:12;
Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27)
"Grace to all
who love our Lord Jesus Christ
with an undying love."
(Ephesians 6:24)
"He said to me,
'It is done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End.
To him who is thirsty
I will give to drink without cost
from the spring of the water of life.
He who overcomes
will inherit all this,
and I will be His God,
and He will be My Son.' "
(Revelation 21:6-7)
For further reflection on this topic, see also ...
How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.
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