The Greatest Love

As we enjoy Valentines Day today, and time with that special someone in our lives, let us consider the words of Jesus. In John 15:13 Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." Invented holidays such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day offer us the opportunity to express our love for significant people that we do indeed love. But today, have you considered the love God has for you?

Love Best Demonstrated

Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Self sacrificial love is what God is all about. The Father, willingly gave His "beloved," "only begotten" Son so that our sins could be forgiven if we believe in Him. I've asked many parents this question, and have only received one answer in return. If you were asked to die for your child, would you? The answer is always a resounding yes. But when asked, would you allow your child to die for another? The answer is normally contemplative silence. But this is exactly what God the Father did for us. He "gave" for us the One He loved most, His Son Jesus Christ.

And Jesus, fully God and fully man, willingly chose to demonstrate His love for us, and "lay down" His life for us, "his friends." To take upon Himself the sins of the world, shed His blood, so that if we believe in Him, we can be reconciled to the Father, from whom our sin separates us.

On Valentines Day we give our loved ones gifts of flowers, candy or jewelry. The Father gave us His Son, and the Son gave Himself for us. Nearly 2000 years ago the greatest love of all was exhibited on a cross at Calvary. A love willing to give everything that their was to give, even unto death. For as much as the Father loved His Son, He loved us even more.

Unrequited Love

John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." God loves the world, He loves everyone. But most in the world today reject the greatest love gift ever given, and refuse to believe in Jesus. God still loves us however, even when we are ungodly. Remember Romans 5:8, Jesus died for us while we were "still sinners," outside of the will of God as we were outside of Jesus Christ.

While God will never stop loving us, He will not force us to love Him. The love of God, agape love, is a love of choice. God chooses to love us even if we do not love Him. But His will is for us to love Him. His "Greatest Commandment" is for us to "love the Lord God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength," and to "love your neighbor as yourself." But God allows us to make that choice.

So as we enjoy our Valentines Day, would you consider this. If you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, will you today willingly choose to surrender all to Him, and obey the "Greatest Commandment." To love Him, and those around you, with the same self sacrificial love that God has shown for you.

If you have never chosen to return the love that God has shown for you, through His Son Jesus Christ, would you do so today? Will you sacrifice your will for His? Will you believe in Jesus Christ and the sacrifice of His blood on the cross for you? Will you willingly answer the call of God on your life, and become one of His children? You will never know a greater love in your life, than when you experience in your soul the love God has for you. And through the power of the Holy Spirit show this same love to those around you.