Belated Happy Valentine’s Day to all! When we think of Valentine’s Day, our thoughts go towards “love”. When we think of “love”, we must think of the greatest love the world has ever known, the love of God.

The Apostle Paul made known his prayer for the Ephesian Christians– “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

(Ephesians 3:17-19)

God’s love is deep! God’s love has nothing to do with you! Others may love you because you are cute, cuddly and adorable. Or, that you are rich. Or, that you are fun to be around. Or, you are family (and they have to love you). But, not God! God loves you simply because He wants to love you. He chose to love you. He decided to love you. God loves you because “God is love” (1 John 4:16).

Listen to what God told Israel, who would have been difficult for even the most loving of us to love:

“The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)
God is love, and His love is unconditional, constant, and perfect. You cannot influence God’s love, because God is love.

Jesus did not go to the cross because of any love you had for Him or for any influence you placed on Him.

The Bible says– “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus must have really loved you to do what He did for you, because your sins put Him on the cross.

We look at some people: they have money, a good job, good health, live a good life and have a good family and marriage. We think, “God must really love them, look at how much He has blessed them!” Or, we look at others: they have problems, are sick, poor, have lost their job, or are plagued with family or marital problems. We think, “God must not really love them, look at all the problems they have!”

Nonsense! Forget those thoughts. Circumstances have nothing to do with God’s love. When everything seems to be going wrong, God still loves you. When everything seems to be going right, God still loves you.

If you want a gauge of God’s love, a yardstick to measure His love, do not look at your circumstances, look at the cross! The Bible says– “The Lord has appeared to us in the past, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

What do we need to do to experience God’s love? Nothing! Just receive it. Why? Because nothing can separate you from God’s love.
Let God’s Word be your assurance today: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35, 37) Enjoy your day. God loves you with an everlasting love!

(Pastor Fred Sebastian invites you to worship Jesus Christ: Our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King at Church of the Living Hope every Sunday, 10:30 AM. The church is located at 235 Enniskillen Avenue, one block south of Jefferson on Main Street. Telephone:204-633-2230.)