In 1975 a prime-time animated TV special called “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” aired on the CBS network.  At the school which Charlie Brown attends, a box labeled “VALENTINES FOR THOSE WE LOVE” is placed in his classroom. Charlie Brown brings a briefcase, hoping he will get lots of valentines, but after all the cards are passed out it turns out he gets none except for a very small candy heart reading “Forget It Kid.”

Sometimes people feel like nobody loves them, but there is always someone who loves everybody, and that is the Lord God of heaven. God is the lover of our soul, and because He loved the world so much, He sent His only Son Jesus to the earth to be born in human form. He served as a perfect example of what it means to be obedient to the Lord and to keep His commandments. He went about teaching and preaching about the kingdom of God, and as He went He performed miracles of healing, and He raised people from the dead.

The most important thing that He did, however, was to die on a cruel Roman cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. By doing so, He made possible the gift of salvation and eternal life for our souls.  He did this not because we deserved it, but because He truly loved us and wants the best for us. His death on the cross was a far greater expression of love than a valentine card, a box of candy, a dozen roses, or anything else that any-one could give on Valentine’s Day. 

People spend all kinds of money and do all kinds of things on Valentine’s Day to try to convince someone of their great love, but this does not mean that they are willing to do it every day. On the other hand, Jesus loves us every moment of every day of our lives, and He loves us unconditionally. We don’t have to do anything to get Him to love us, because He loves us simply due to the fact He created us.  He gives us His gift of salvation to us if we ask His forgiveness for our sins, and if we accept it as payment for our sins.

Now, there are many things that we can do and should do to show God that we love Him.  We need to make every effort to keep His commandments, depending on His Holy Spirit to do so. We need to share His love with others, telling them about His gift of salvation, and telling them of their need of His salvation. We need to help Him build His Church, and to encourage other believers to live faithfully for the Lord. He will reward us not only in this life, but also in the life hereafter.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.