THE GREATEST LOVE AND THE BEST GIFT

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! This is the time of year when in every supermarket and shopping centre, and even online, we are bombarded with red and pink hearts, Cupids and flowers. The promoted message is that if people really love each other, they will purchase this gigantic bouquet of roses, that heart-shaped box of chocolates, and the cuddly teddy bear, then present all of the above at an extravagant romantic dinner for two.

While the shops are only concerned with good sales figures, their basic message that love and giving are linked is actually true. When someone loves you, they want to make you happy. They will sacrifice for you. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll wipe their bank account clean to buy a gourmet meal and a dozen roses. It may mean simply setting aside some time to spend together, helping with the washing up, cooking a favourite meal. You know that someone loves you when they give.

Who loves you the most? Your husband or wife? Your mum or dad? Grandparent? A special friend? Actually, it’s none of the above. The One who loves you the most is God. God is love! (1 John 4:8) He created us, He knows all about us, and He loves us unconditionally.

And He demonstrated it by giving! One of my favourite verses reads

‘God commendeth (demonstrates) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8)

 

We are all sinners. There is not one single person in this world who has never sinned, and if we are honest we will readily admit this. Who hasn’t told a lie? Had a wrong thought? Said something hurtful? We have all broken God’s law and sinned against Him. Sin can’t go unpunished. A holy God can’t let unforgiven sinners into heaven. The only alternative is hell.

But while we were in this rebellious state as sinners, even then, God loved us. And He demonstrated it by giving His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He could give no more! He gave the very best He had. Not only to the earth, but to the cross of Calvary, where the Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died to bear the punishment that we deserved. By His death, He provided the way for us to be forgiven and made right for heaven. And He not only died. He rose from the dead and is alive in heaven today, ‘able…to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth…’ (Hebrews 7:25)

And as with any gift – be it flowers or chocolates – it must be received. God longs for you to receive the gift of eternal life through His Son. Trust Him today, and receive the best gift from the One who loves you with a perfect and unfailing love.

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