Happy Valentine’s Day!

LOVE is alive in the hearts of many…so it may seem.  (The line was long for such Valentine goodies and gifts at the store yesterday!)  Although, I would say that many do not know what “true and ultimate love” really is. While the chocolates and flowers and cards are nice expressions of love, the absolute highest love is God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.  That love is beautifully and so wonderfully expressed to the entire world in Jesus Christ crucified…and resurrected for us sinners.  That LOVE that came down from heaven was packed full with divine resolve (like the divine “must” I shared about last week). Jesus Christ carried our sorrows and bore all of our unrighteousness as He suffered and died to secure our greatly needed release from our sin and guilt.  He is the only One who could do this. His resurrection from the dead is God’s great “done deal!” affirmed–His guarantee of securing our salvation.  Perhaps you’ve heard it said that the Bible is God’s love letter to the world, summed up so beautifully in John 3:16.

So, yes indeed, we are saved by grace…and through faith in Jesus Christ.  By faith, we take hold of God’s love “so deep” and “so high” for us.  This happened at conversion (typically at our Baptism).  And then, it remains an ongoing love affair between God and us as we make use of His Word and Sacraments–as we in repentance confess our sins and desire His mercy and forgiveness.  And there our Lord Jesus is…right where He promised to be for us.. as He comes to us and makes His home in our hearts through Baptism, the preached Gospel, and His body and blood in His Supper.  Our Lord of infinite love stands before us inviting: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…rest for your weary souls” (Mt. 11:28, 29c)  In love with us, Jesus is delighted to serve us.

Knowing God’s love in Jesus Christ and seeking Him and the gifts He freely gives in His Word and Sacraments is what it means to be CHRISTIAN.  Is this your conviction?  Is this your claim?

Have a blessed day and week ahead in His name–His name of wondrous love!