by Kala Loptien

Based on a True Story

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this Sound Cloud link.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
John 4:16 English Standard Version

We’re seeing red (and pink) everywhere! There are giant heart balloons, copious amounts of chocolate, cute stuffed animals with longing eyes, bright roses and love stories all over. So many wonderful and well-intended expressions of our sentiments. In our family, we often say things like: “love you the most” and “love you to heaven.” As I continue to answer a myriad of “life” questions from our six-year-old (“Mommy, how are babies even made, though?”), I often catch myself wondering about origins. As followers of Christ, our hearts know the original author of love. He’s the one that loved first. He’s the reason we love one another.

In the greatest, TRUE love story ever written, God sent His son to rescue us. We were destined for judgement and separation. Instead, our Savior bore our sin and shame; defeated death and the devil; and rose victorious, making US conquerors. We are made new, wholly justified and holy in His eyes because of Jesus. As if that weren’t enough, He inspired an entire book, documenting the love story so that we might benefit and be reminded of His great love for us.

The book of John defines love with undeniable fervor. God. Is. Love. If we are truly abiding in and living for Him, genuine love for our Savior and our neighbor will follow. Without a doubt, the best way for us to tend to one another is to share and show His love at all times and every occasion. Worship, prayer and His word provide the encouragement and nourishment we need to then go and reach those in need of the same. As His hands and feet, we continue to share the greatest love story ever to be.

We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19  ESV

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado