There is love

Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Some time ago, I traded e-mail with a friend who was approaching 30 and had no serious love relationship in sight. He’s talented, fun, handsome, and a committed Christian. But so far, everything on his romantic horizon has turned out to be a mirage.

Several months earlier, he had been very enthusiastic about a young woman with whom he was corresponding. Two weeks before they were to meet for the first time, she was killed by a drunk driver. My friend made the trip to meet her family, experience their pain, and deal with his own sense of loss.

Today, many people will feel the absence of love as keenly as others celebrate its presence. In a world where love means so much, is there a word from the Lord for everyone, with or without a sweetheart?

First John 4 focuses not on being loved by another person, but on God’s love for us and our love for one another (vv. 7-11). According to 1 Corinthians 13:7, this love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” How is this possible? Because God’s love “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5).

Long after the cards and flowers are forgotten, there is love from God’s heart to ours! — David McCasland

On this the day when we express

Undying love and faithfulness,

Let’s not forget that God above

Gave us His Son in perfect love. — Hess

READ: 1 John 4:7-11

The more we understand God’s love for us, the more love we’ll show to others.

The Bible in one year:

• Leviticus 15-16

• Matthew 27:1-26