Love

So it’s a few days after Valentines Day, but remember: God’s love is for every day, not just Valentines!
The Bible gives us a pretty class definition of what love is in 1^st Corinthians 13:4-7:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”(NIV)
And in 1 John 4:16 we are told that God is love – all these characteristics apply to God – and his love is so much better than our earthly love.
Because we decide who to love based on things like appearance, personality, or who has shown us love first, but God looks deeper.
In 1 Samuel 16:7 God says that ‘man looks at the outward appearance but [he] looks at the heart’.
To God someone is attractive not if they have the fit body, guns or perfect hair, but if in their heart they believe in Him and love Him.
Last week if you were out shopping you will probably have seen all the overpriced Valentines cards, roses, chocolates and all that junk on sale. Maybe some of you even bought some, or maybe received some. They are symbols of love. But in the Bible we read of a greater symbol of love. The cross. Because God loves everyone. But we have all messed up and broken his commandments. So to bring us back to Him He sent his Son to die on the cross, so that whoever believes will have eternal life. The ultimate act of love.
Have you accepted that gift of love yet? Because if you haven’t, what are you waiting for?