Who Loves First?

February 14, 2019

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

It’s Valentine’s Day. I love to hear stories of people who have been Valentines for many years and have seen their love grow and grow into the biggest thing in their lives outside of faith in Christ. One thing the stories have in common—someone had to make the first move. Someone started the series of actions and events that led to this remarkable, loving relationship. In some of the stories, it was the guy who went out on a limb and risked his heart on a girl who didn’t seem to care. He had to pursue her hard, but eventually she saw that his persevering love was worth investigating. Sometimes it’s the young lady who made the first cautious approach, and he came along. But the bottom line is, someone always had to make the first move.

That’s the way it was with our relationship with Jesus. Jesus made the first move. He came from heaven to earth with no guarantees. He gave up everything without ever knowing that we would respond to His love. Love relationships usually start with the first lover being attracted by the beauty or potential of the other person. They look like a prize catch, and it’s worth the risk and possible disappointment to go after the object of their affection. But that’s not how it was with us and Jesus. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice; the ultimate commitment to us. While we were still sinners, nothing attractive about us, nothing to recommend us as a worthy investment, Christ chose us. While we were still sinners, He died for us. We are who we are because He chose to love us first.

That should give us great encouragement, hope, and patience when we need to love people who seem hard to love. Some of the most wonderful Valentines ever didn’t look so beautiful to start with. Love transforms.

• Happy Valentine’s Day! Find a neighbor who is a little hard to love, and make today great for them.