“We love Him, because He first loved us.” 

I John 4:19

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

I John 4:10-11

We often speak of love as if it is a fuzzy feeling akin to having beautiful butterflies in our tummies and warm, tender thoughts. There is a time when this is an indication that there is a possibility of caring which will lead to a relationship but this isn’t love. This is a transient feeling that can change with the emotions.

I was recently reminded of one of my wonderful college professor’s definition of Agape` love – otherwise known as “Godly love.” (There are three words for love in the Greek but Agape` love is what I want to address this valentines day.)

Dr. Robert Delnay’s definition was; “Love is to purpose the good of another without the expectation of benefit to oneself.” (I hope I remembered this correctly. He had us set this to memory several decades ago.) In other words, To do what’s best for someone else without expecting something in return.

After all, we have the greatest example of all in John 3:16-18.

“For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.

He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

You see, He saw our need and made the greatest sacrifice to provide our need for a Savior. He filled that need by sending His only begotten to take our punishment (even though He was sinless) so that we will have everlasting life – with Him!

“Amazing love, how can it be? That Thou, my God shouldst die for me!”

~*~

Candy is sweet and flowers have beauty but the love of our Savior is indeed the greatest gift of all. Won’t you receive His gift of love to you today?

Happy Valentines, dear friends. May your joy be full as you celebrate Valentines Day in Him!

If you would like to know how to love one another, check out I Corinthians 13 and apply it to your life this week. I know I will.

Love in Him,

Kathy