Sunday, February 2, 2014

The Search for the Perfect Love

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13: 13

     What defines love? Have you found the perfect example? Do you think of the great lovers like Romeo and Juliet, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and wish to emulate them? Or is your heart a broken place where the litter of lost loves prevails?

     While browsing for answers in my concordance recently, I was amazed by the number of verses under the title "love". It was like looking up "Smith" in the phone book - column after column! I tried to count them, but lost track after 230. What do you think God is trying to tell us?

     Valentine's Day brings a warmth during the cold months of winter. The flower shop across the street from my house is a red ribbon of hearts and lights, like a beacon that beckons through the snowy haze, but where can I find unconditional love?

     Listen to these verses from God's love letter:

"God is love." 1 John 4:16

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." 1 John 3:16

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

     The biggest, boldest red-heart declaration of unconditional love that you can find is in the shape of a cross. A perfect God-man sacrificed his life for you, while you were steeped in selfishness and sin. He loves you so much that, even if you were the only person on earth, he would still follow through. Even the most beloved people in your life can let you down, they can anger you or betray you, they are not perfect, but Jesus is. He loves you! Love him right back, then love others as much as you love yourself and have a Happy Valentine's Day.

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