It has been said, “love is a verb.” What we mean is that love is not this sappy, emotional “feeling,” where we just have a sense of happiness. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s good to refocus our minds on what love is and is not.

Let’s read of God’s incredible love; in John 3:16 we read the words of Jesus:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

I am always amazed at people who think we deserve God’s love and kindness. Are you kidding me? We are messed up people, and while we are far worse off than we even realize, we are more loved than we ever dared to hope. That is the point of the Gospel. God the Father sent — and gave as a sacrifice — His precious Son, so that whoever trusts in Him alone can enjoy God forever. Eternal life would be meaningless if with it we did not get God. That is the whole point of eternal life: in Jesus we get God. Do you want Him?

Think on this: God has made true love possible, by showing us what true love is. It is paying whatever price was needed to get us back. That kind of relentless, unflinching love deserves our best response. How can we show God we love Him? How can we show other people they are valued by us, and valuable to God?