1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
As Valentine Day approaches, our hearts are turned towards those who fill our lives with not only the ability to make our hearts beat quicker, but those who without which our lives just wouldn’t be the same.
As a little girl growing up, I LOVED this holiday. Sugar cookies covered in creamy pink and white frosting and silly little cards from my friends were all part of the experience. But as I grew into a young woman I longed for the day when I would celebrate this day with the man of my dreams who loved me with all of his heart.
The desire to be loved is the one thing the whole world seems to have in common. We long for it, search for it, and sometimes even do things we never thought possible for it. It has been known to be responsible for turning grown men into babbling fools, and women into weeping messes at the mere mention of a romantic gesture. And yet, as wonderful as this emotion is, it can never be compared to the love our God has for us, and without which we would never know love at all, for God IS love.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
This is such a glorious truth. Love describes the character and heart of God. He is so rich in love and compassion, that it can be used to describe His very being. When we say, “God IS Love”, we are of course not saying everything about God. Love is an essential aspect of His character, and colors every aspect of His nature. But it does not eliminate His holiness, His righteousness, or His perfect justice. Everything God does, in one way or another, expresses His perfect love.
1 Johns 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The love John speaks of here comes from the ancient Greek word agape; it is the concept of a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting re-payment. It is the way God loves. Since this is God’s kind of love, it stands to reason that it comes into our life through our relationship with Him.
I want to learn to love others more and more this way. If I want this kind of love in my heart, then it stands to reason that I need to draw closer and closer to God. As we celebrate this holiday in a couple of days, I pray that that we all remember just Who it is that is responsible for this wonderful thing we call love and draw as close to Him as we can, for those who know God, know love.
Debbie from THE WAY WE ARE is our guest writer today. Be sure to stop by and visit her blog. http://debsdailydribble.blogspot.com/
Awesome devotion.
Thank you for reminding me of the kind of love Jesus gives and that we should strive for with each other.
Debbie, This is an awesome devotion! Thank you for sharing from your heart this important message. i’m also glad to find this site through you!
Beautiful!
Debbie…thank you so much for guest writing today. You have an awesome word here to share. The love of God is absolutely out of this world and almost uncomprehendable! I appreciate your heart and passion for Christ. -hugs! Laurie
Debbie – great devotion. How exciting to be a guest writer. Its overwhelming, really, when we think just how self-giving true love really is…and that our savior extended that type of amazing love to the likes of me! Have a love-filled weekend!!
Debbie, I enjoyed your devotion on love. Thank you!
God bless your weekend.
Bethany
What a beautiful post Debbie!
Amen to that Debbie. I agree with you in that we need to draw close to Him in order to love like Him. Is is easier to love the ones that love us as well, but I like what you said here: ‘it is the concept of a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting re-payment’.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on love with us.
So glad that God’s nature is love. Thank you for this wonderful post. Of reminding us that when we truly know the depth of His love, then we are able to share it with others. There is no other way. God bless.