Valentine’s Day derives from God’s love showing what true love is

"FJ's Jottings." FJ hiking in the summer, using hiking stick. He's stopped, looking at pines. Blue sky and a river.

February is the month known for love. Today, I write about how Valentine’s Day derives from God’s love.

Carole and I celebrate Valentine’s Day each year because of our love for each other. We give cards to each other. We also eat out at a favorite restaurant. Throughout the years, we have celebrated our love in creative ways.

A brown cross on a globe with green land and blue waters.

This love comes from the love God has shown us.

So, you can read about what I believe God’s love is. My original article appeared in our church’s newsletter in Clearlake Oaks, CA.

Love Is …

“But now abide faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13.

Love is the necessary ingredient for meaningful life. The Bible tells us that love is greater than faith or hope. These three gifts are from our Father God. We need to consider love in our lives and test it by comparing it to God’s love.

God’s divine love is giving in nature.
God’s love is forgiving to people who have ignored, blasphemed, and rebelled against God who is the Giver and Sustainer of their lives.
God’s love is so mighty that he will discipline and correct us for our personal improvement.
God’s love is a perfecting love. “For I am confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.
God’s love is steadfast and continues touching us if we are willing.
God’s love is complete and thorough – “the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.
God loves people.
God’s love is to all people “not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
God’s love is redeeming love: through giving Jesus as our atonement, salvation is available to all.

If we have met and accepted God through Jesus Christ, we must use our God-given gift of love. There is no divine love without faith in God. There is no true faith in God that doesn’t produce love for God. Faith in God alone, with love for God, fills life with hope and optimism. Because such lives are open to receive shaping, sustaining, abiding working them, to them, and through them.