His Incredible Love

By Iris Nelson February 14, 2014 Devotion

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:16-18 ESV)

I have to admit, I love chocolate; especially dark chocolates. Did you know that dark chocolates have very low or no sodium? When I was a little girl, I did not fancy dark chocolate because it a had a bitter taste. However, since we are watching sodium in all our foods, I started to really like dark chocolate.

Today is Valentine’s Day; a day that is marked as a day for romantic love. I am sure that Hallmark and chocolate manufactures have one of their biggest days of the year in sales. However, Valentine’s Day was not always celebrated as a ‘Hallmark & chocolate’ day or associated with romantic love. St. Valentine’s Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus (see Wikipedia).

As I am sitting here, thinking about Valentine’s Day, I think about a different kind of love. A love that is forgiving; full of mercy and grace. Yes, I am talking about God’s incredible love through Jesus Christ. Many people know John 3:16, but I think that often times people don’t truly understand this heavenly LOVE. You see, God’s love is unconditional, incredible, amazing. There is no other love like it and there will never be a love like this.

It has taking me years to understand this incredible love of God; some times it still boggles my mind. I love what Paul wrote in Romans 8:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8:31-35 ESV)

For me, Valentine’s Day is not about saints, cards, or chocolate, but about the incredible love from God who gave up His Son do die for our sins on the cross. And nothing or no one can separate us ever from the love of God.

Lord of mercy and grace. Thank you for your incredible love through Your Son Jesus. It is amazing to me that You have sent Jesus to pay my penalty of sin. May I never forget this love You have for me. May I share the love with the ones around me. With the ones that know about Your love, and especially with people who have not yet received Your incredible love. I am thankful that nothing or no one can separate me from Your love. I am trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.