Living Lovingly and Being Loved

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

Jesus and Valentine’s Day both speak of love. FJ writes about how we learn about love from Jesus and how we are loved by Him. He encourages us to share our love for Jesus on Valentine’s Day. Read on to see what FJ says.

“Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves; for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my father I have made known to you.”
John 15:9-15
Tweet

Living Lovingly and Being Loved

Heart shape made up of the words, "Jesus Love". Jesus is in gray; Love is in red.

Living lovingly while being loved in return has been the quest of people’s lives since creation was spoken into existence. Every person needs another who returns warmth and appreciation with a fervent love. The greater love you have for someone, the more important it becomes to you that they also love you. Jesus loves you, each one: He loves more than parents, brothers, sisters, children, or spouse ever will. He proved the genuineness of His love when he gave His life for the whole world. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Wouldn’t February be a good month for every Christian to follow Christ’s example of love?
Why not put aside some extra time to read and study the life of Jesus?
How about not missing an opportunity this month to gather and worship with God’s people?
Why not make a commitment that you will listen faithfully for the Holy Spirit as He calls you into a daily time of prayer fellowship with the Lord?

Jesus’ love is greater than any other. He longs for those people for whom He died to genuinely demonstrate the love they often hide away and suppress.

Jesus said you will live in His divine love if you

Keep His commandments (John 15:10)
- “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Love each other as Jesus loves you. (John 15:12)
Put aside your own life for others. (John 15:13)

A valentine you can give

Send Jesus the only valentine that can’t be bought at any price of money–the only valentine like which there is no other anywhere or anytime. Give yourselves to Jesus and follow His teaching. Those who give themselves to Jesus will live in love and be loved to perfection.