Ever noticed how many books are written, how many songs are sung, how many stories are told about “love.” This country has an entire day devoted to “romantic love” (Valentine’s Day). There is a cable channel that is devoted to love movies (Hallmark). One of the angsts of life is finding someone to love who loves us back.
It’s been proven that babies thrive on love and suffer in its absence. And it’s not just babies who thrive on love. Ever spend time in a home for the elderly where there is only cold sterile assistance? I remember going to a convalescent home as part of a group that ministered with music, the Word, and lots of hugs … and the joy on the faces of those we ministered to was evident.
We need the touch of other people. We need to love and be loved by others in this life. But I venture to say that we need the love of God more than any other love. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atoning sacrifice] for our sins.” [1 John 4:10 NKJV]
“In this is love.” It is not my flawed, feeble love of God where the greatest love is found, it is His marvelous, awesome, unconditional, never ending, reckless love that sets the standard for love. He loved us when we were enemies. He loved us while we were shaking our fists and shouting “we will not have this God rule us!” He gave His most precious Son to die for us – to bring us back to Him.
“In this is [truly] love.”