True Love

February is often associated with love since Valentine's Day comes mid way through the month. Love is so interesting because there are so many facets to it. Each of us feels it, expresses, shows it, talks it, thinks it, promises it, and acts upon it. But the interesting part is that we do it all differently.

The fullest and deepest expression of love is found in what God did for us. The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. The Apostle Paul put it into perspective when he wrote, "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God's love, full and uncompromising, deep and penetrating to our heart's deepest need, free yet costing Jesus His very life, so that we may live eternally with God in heaven. While the world struggles with what true love is, God reveals the ultimate definition of what love is in the person of His Son, Jesus.

Couples say "I do" at the marriage altar. These two words signify their deep love for one another, as well as their commitment to one another. When God sent Jesus, He expressed His commitment to us. A commitment that will not waver, even when we blow it, nor will it come to an end, but will last for all of eternity. Our commitments come in the form of promises. We promise to be there for one another, to stay with one another, to have each others back, to support one another and on and on our promises go. God has made promises to us too. Jesus said, "If I go away, I will return to take you to be with me." The Apostle Paul said that at the Lord's return we will be caught up with the Lord in the clouds, and so we will be with the Lord forever. What an incredible promise. We who believe in the Lord Jesus and rejoice in His love for us, look forward to the day that we will be with Him.

There is a song we used to sing at Mt. Gilead summer camp. I think it was a Barry McGuire song. It goes something like this: "Clouds, I can't keep my eyes off them clouds in the sky, 'cause I know it won't be long, it won't be long." Since the Lord's return could happen on any day or at any moment, we ought to live with the anticipation of His return. When you see clouds up in the sky, may they be a constant reminder of the Lord's love as well as His promise to take us to be with Him. The Lord's coming is the fulfillment of His promise to us, because He loves us.

May you be rooted and established in love, and be able to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ Jesus.

Blessings,
Pastor Pete