God is Love

by Cecil Burridge

February is the month in which we send valentines to those we love. The Bible says ALet us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love@ (I John 4:7,8).

God sends only good gifts. In the same way, we should give only good things to those who are dear to us. This is described in the Bible in James 1:17: AEvery good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.@ This is a wonderful picture of God's love. Every blessing of life is a token from God. When we look upon blossoming flowers, green grass or an abundant harvest, we should see God decorating the earth with beauty. When we feel health and strength coursing through our veins, we should look up and thank God for showing His love.

God never forgets those He loves. And Jesus' love was so great that He allowed Himself to be crucified (killed) for us so that we could be forgiven for all the things that we have done wrong. The Bible goes on to say, AThis is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins@ (I John 4:10). The very instant we give our lives to Jesus and admit our sins, our forgiveness is granted--because God is love.

Cecil E. Burridge is a freelance writer from Barrie, Ont. Adapted from a longer article.

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