Pastor Ben recently preached from Colossians 1, about “Faith and Suffering,” emphasizing that suffering should not come as a surprise and that there is purpose in our hardships. He taught that the gospel view of hardship is productive for the Christian life.  God uses hardship intentionally to transform us to be more like Christ. When Paul, then Saul, was blinded by God, the Lord told Ananias to go and lay hands on him. The Lord was about to use Saul mightily and told Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16). 

Paul did in fact suffer far more than most men for the sake of Jesus’ name. He also learned to endure those hardships. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry, imprisoned, persecuted, and in constant danger. Paul was a suffering preacher and was called to correct some false teaching that was creeping into the church in Colossae. In his first letter to the Colossians, Paul starts by commending them saying,

From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy… (Colossians 1:9-11)

But Paul struggled with sharing the message that was given him from God for the Colossians to clarify how the church is called to suffer for, and remain rooted in, Christ. He warned against the philosophy and empty deceit being spread by false teachers in the church in Colossae. Paul wrote,

I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Colossians 1:25-29)

This hidden mystery was the revelation that the Gentiles would unite the Jews through Christ in salvation.

John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, was once quoted saying, “It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit because there is no winter there.”  He was making reference to spiritual fruit.  Men will not develop to full spiritual maturity without the necessary adversity sent by their good Father.  There is even joy in the adversity because of what God produces through it. Paul later wrote to the Roman Christians,

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

The remainder of Paul’s letter to the Colossians is a summary of how we might best set our minds on things above, how to act kindly and to have thankfulness in our hearts toward God for all things.  Paul does not dwell on his own suffering, but ends his letter humbly with the words, “Remember my chains. Grace be with you” (Colossians 4:18). May we all remember Paul’s chains and commit to spiritual growth from our own adversities.

One of the many blessings of living in this age is that we have access to God’s Word. When you find that you do not have time to sit with your Bible and read, here are some additional ways you might consider getting into the Word:

Read the Bible on Your Phone. There are numerous Bible apps that you can download that will help you be more consistent. While I personally prefer reading a print Bible, I find that using a Bible app is helpful when I’m not at my desk. When I’m standing in line, or I have a few minutes of free time, loading up my Bible app instead of a social media app has been a blessing.

Listen to the Bible. It is interesting to consider that the majority of saints in both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant listened to the Word being read more than they actually read it themselves. It wasn’t until the invention of the printing press and the multiplication of Bible translations that believers began to have access to personal copies of God’s Word. Before that, they listened to it being read in the context of a worship service. Many Bible reading apps also have a feature that will read it aloud. 

Meditate on What You Have Memorized. While it is great to be able to read longer portions of the Bible daily, it is good for us to remember that quantity is not always required for us to benefit spiritually from it. If you have a busy day and you know you will not be able to read or listen to a longer passage, just take a moment to recall a verse from the Bible that you are familiar with and meditate on it. You can use it as a guide to prayer.

God’s Word is amazing. Kevin DeYoung, in his book Taking God At His Word, writes: 

We need the Bible if we are to be competent Christians. The Bible will build us up so that we can endure suffering. It will give us discernment for difficult choices. It will make us strong enough to be patient with others and patient enough to respond with kindness when others hurt us. The Bible will get us up to bring meals to new moms and pray for people on their hospital beds. The Bible equips us to be truth lovers and truth tellers. It sends us out to care for the poor and welcome the stranger. There is no limit to what the Bible can do for us, to us, and through us. We can never outgrow the Bible, because it always means to make us grow.

From the first page of Paul Tripp’s book, I identified with his sudden suffering. He casually walked into the hospital emergency room at the advice of his physician with mild but persistent symptoms. Quickly there were four specialists examining him, talking about dialysis and ordering tests. Soon his body was going into full-body spasms with pain so intense he was screaming in despair, “God help me!” This would be the first of six hospital stays, each with kidney surgery, over the next two years.  Tripp was discouraged, disappointed, and in spiritual battle, asking why, in the prime of his career, when he was doing God’s work, would God allow this set of circumstances which would leave him physically damaged forever, devoid of energy, and without a major source of his income.  

Many good books have been written on suffering, but this one draws you in as Tripp recounts his personal story and also uses examples of suffering beyond physical pain from his years as a counselor, including relational, spiritual, and circumstantial suffering. And because at the time of his writing, he was in a place where his life didn’t make sense, he offers practical and hopeful theology for every sufferer’s struggles.

Tripp suggests that our lives are shaped both by what we suffer and by the background we bring to our suffering.  For him, pride in his physical health and in his numerous accomplishments made him self-reliant, an idol he was not happy to face. Further, his new physical weakness was a surprise disruption to his carefully planned out and executed life. These realizations tugged at his heart, exposing what was really inside.  

The first half of the book delves into the various trappings that can control our thoughts, namely fear, envy, doubt, denial, and discouragement. He reminds us that nothing we suffer is ultimate or eternal. God is eternal, he is present with his children forever, his power does not wane, and he alone determines our destiny.  He is the good news that every sufferer needs. Our suffering is not in the way of God’s plan; it is part of God’s plan. He never leaves us alone in our suffering, and his presence changes everything.

The second half of the book provides instruction for preaching these truths to yourself when you are suffering. Our instinct is to seek answers as to why suffering is happening. What we really need to do is seek God intimately. If we don’t work hard to remember that we are children of God, our identity moves toward our struggles and no further, redefining who we are. God’s comfort is explained in terms of his grace. Our suffering is not an indication of failed love from our Savior. His grace may be uncomfortable, nevertheless he intervenes for us, he is trustworthy to never leave us in our suffering, and to deliver on his promise, not of good things in this life, but of redeeming grace for eternity. These chapters quote Scripture and provide clear theology of the Word of God. Bad theology crushes hope and leaves you empty.  Proper theology teaches the presence of God, his commitment to his children, his never-ending love, and the power of his transforming grace. As a tool, Tripp includes thoughtful questions on which to reflect at the end of each chapter, along with additional passages of Scripture to look up for a “heart reset.”

Suffering reveals just how much we are not in control.  God has a redemptive plan for each of us, but he does not provide the details or reasons why he rules as he does. Peace in our heart does not come from knowing why, but from knowing who. Our suffering actually prepares us for how he will use us to minister to others and to display his glory in our weakness. Suffering, according to Tripp, is a “workroom of grace.”

If you are not suffering now, you will be. We live in a fallen world. Tripp has written an excellent book to prepare us for the inevitable. In our darkest moments, when life doesn’t make sense, may we run to Jesus. 

What makes Belcher’s book so special is that he takes a biblical-theological approach to the subject. Starting in Genesis 1, Belcher examines the three offices as the Bible shows them in action. We see how in the Garden Adam was a king, a priest, and a prophet, and how the Fall disrupted matters. Belcher continues through the Old Testament, showing how those who were prophets, priests, and kings operated, and then he sets forth Christ as the Great Prophet, our Great High Priest, and our Great King.

As he does this, Belcher lays out in depth important facts that we may altogether miss. For example, we may easily miss the fact that it was the responsibility of the priests to teach the people of Israel how to distinguish between the holy and the common and between the clean and unclean. This was a vital everyday matter as it related to the very food that the people ate. If the food they ate was unclean, they were unclean. If the animals offered in sacrifice were blemished, they would pollute the altar of the Lord.

The latter part of the book I found especially intriguing as it lays out how we who are in Christ are in our own way prophets, priests, and kings. We are prophets as we faithfully handle the Word of God, apply it in our daily lives, and teach it at home. The pastor and elders in our public worship act as priests as they call us to worship, lead us in confession of sin and prayer, carry out oversight in the administration of the Lord’s Supper, and pronounce the benediction. We act individually as priests as we offer up sacrifices of praise, offer up our lives as living sacrifices, pray, and in taking the gospel to all nations. As kings we are to exercise dominion over God’s creation as his stewards. It is said in Proverbs 25:2 that “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” The exploration of God’s creation, from the deepest oceans to the farthest reaches of space, is a work that glorifies God. And, of course, it is our  duty as   kings to fight for  that which is right and just, to protect children from harmful influences, and to do all to the glory of God.

This is a book filled with solid spiritual food, well worth reading. I can truly say that this book was a blessing to read, and I am sure that you would be blessed as you read it.

Wouldn’t it be helpful if we had road signs for life that signaled when we were in danger and needed to prepare for a bumpy ride? In fact, such instructions for life are recorded in Proverbs 4. Here Solomon, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, provides instructions for his son to obtain wisdom, which will guard him for life. In a later passage we learn that “the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord” (Prov. 9:10). True wisdom comes from a reverential view of God’s authority and greatness. We respond to learning about God and his ways by living in accordance with his commands. It all comes down to choices. You can choose the path that serves God, or the path of the wicked. Wisdom is the principal treasure to be acquired. With it, “When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run you will not stumble” (Prov. 4:12).

Solomon uses an ‘Attention’ sign to signal us to listen to his words, meditate upon them, and hide them in our hearts. “Be attentive to my words, incline your ear to my sayings” (Prov. 4:20). This prepares us for a life seeking a godly path rather than our own path. Solomon’s words are “life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh” (Prov. 4:22).

This is followed by a ‘Proceed with Caution’ sign. Solomon instructs us to “Keep your heart with all vigilance” (Prov. 4:23), that is we are to read, study, and diligently focus our hearts on holy living. Why? Because from our hearts spring our responses to the issues of life.

Next, Solomon uses the ‘No Turn’ sign. We are to steer clear of crooked speech and devious talk (Prov. 4:24). Instead, we should be known for our honesty. Our hearts should be pure so that having no deceitfulness in them, our actions will reflect godliness.

We think of the ‘Single Lane Ahead’ sign in verse 25 which states, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” We are to be single-minded, our eyes fixed on the written Word of God which fills our hearts and guides our paths. We also do not look back. Just as distracted driving presents a major threat on the road, looking any direction but toward God threatens our stability and safety.

Verse 26 reminds us to ‘Yield’ when appropriate. We are to “Ponder the path of our feet, then all our ways will be sure.” We proceed carefully in our walk, examining the way we live and correcting as needed. We ask, “Is this the right thing to do? Is it childish behavior or mature? Is it using my God-given talents and gifts wisely? Does it matter for eternity?”

And finally, we are to watch out for any ‘Detour’ in life. Anything that causes our hearts to stray must be avoided. Verse 27 reminds us not to “swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” We must be on guard for those things that might lead us off course. Wisdom keeps us focused on the journey God has set for us. We cannot just let things happen; we must steer clear of distractions and evil tendencies.

So how do we follow these road signs in Proverbs? We ask for the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to choose wisely. We pray for his presence and direction so that we become more Christlike as we deal with the issues of life. We ask him to keep us on the narrow path and to help us identify what is true from what is untrue. And we remember that in this journey, we are never left alone.

Lord, thank you for inspiring Solomon through the Spirit to teach us how we are to live. Solomon provided clear instructions for staying on the righteous path. When I am confused, tempted by evil, or lacking in understanding, fill me with your Spirit and bring true wisdom to my mind that I may choose rightly how you would have me live. My desire is to become more Christlike in my heart and actions. Give me the wisdom to make choices that honor you and bring glory to your name. Amen.

I admit that early on I did not make the connection between the lamb cake and Jesus. I knew the story from Exodus. God orchestrated the Jews’ escape from the Egyptians by sending plagues of judgment upon Pharoah and the Egyptians. The last plague was the death of all of the Egyptians’, and only the Egyptians’, first-born. The Jews marked their door posts with lamb’s blood so that Death would “pass over” their homes. The plague convinced Pharaoh to free the Israelites. Later I came to understand that God did not let the destroyer kill any of his people who believed and obeyed (Ex. 12:23), foreshadowing a time when Christ would protect his own who believed and obeyed.

Much detail was provided to the Israelites regarding the preparation of the lamb to be sacrificed. Exodus 12:1-6 explains that families were to get a lamb on the tenth day of a certain month, examine it, and sacrifice it on the fourteenth. The lamb was to be without blemish. The Jewish families were to assure their lamb was perfect, a picture of what God demanded of their sacrifice in grateful thanksgiving for their deliverance from Egypt and a foretaste of the sacrifice of his sinless Son for believers’ deliverance from sin and death.

The five days between the tenth and the fourteenth of the month were a shadow of the time between the triumphal entry to Jerusalem and the crucifixion of Christ, our Passover Lamb. During that time, Jesus was scrutinized repeatedly, first by the religious leaders, then before the Sanhedrin at the home of Caiaphas, then by Pontius Pilate, by Herod Antipas, and again by Pontius Pilate, who finally said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man” (Luke 23:4).

But Christ faced the cross anyway, hung between two criminals. One of the two was moved by the Holy Spirit to declare to the other, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40-41). That condemned thief prayed for Jesus to remember him when he would go to his kingdom. And Jesus gave a response with words that still provide hope and comfort to all those facing death, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

So why is it so important that Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God?  Because, as we have been learning in the current sermon series through Exodus, if he were not sinless, he could not have been the Passover Lamb. He would have had to die for his own sins, instead of dying for our sins. The Apostle Peter reminded the dispersed and persecuted Jewish converts,

You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21)

The Passover lamb foreshadowed the coming of Jesus, who is both our Deliverer and Savior. And just as the blood of Passover lambs was applied to the doorposts of only those who believed God’s promise, the blood of Jesus is applied to the repentant hearts of only those with faith in him. God’s wrath passes over believers so that they might have eternal life.  The Passover story provides Christians an understanding of God’s greater plan for redemption; that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Lord, thank you that you are all-loving, unchanging, and your purposes stand forever. You determined from eternity past to redeem a people for your glory. Thank you that though we are undeserving, you chose us to be redeemed. Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross so that our sins would be covered by his blood, and we can stand before you in his righteousness. Amen.

Goodwin makes it clear that what he is looking at is the very first musings and simple notions conceived and entertained in the mind. This can be a very difficult point to accept, but the real test of whether they are truly our thoughts is whether we have a soft heart and inward love for them. If we do so, it is as if we have owned them as our child. There may be evil thoughts that come in from Satan and others, but if we do not embrace them, they are not ours. If, on the other hand, we open our heart to them, then they have truly become ours.

When Goodwin speaks of thoughts as vain, he is saying that they are sinful. He clearly lays out the case for this in the second chapter. It is a short chapter, only five pages, but he makes his case powerfully.

Goodwin then proceeds to show that our thoughts are vain in two ways. He first shows how our minds are reluctant to think of that which is good. The natural mind cannot draw holy thoughts from ordinary life, our minds are unwilling to think seriously upon God, it is difficult for the child of God to sustain good thoughts or to think of good things in proper season (Goodwin gives as an example one hearing a sermon and thinking of something totally unrelated to the sermon, even though it is a good thing). Goodwin then shows how our minds race after that which is evil with foolish, sinful, and curious thoughts. When he speaks of curious thoughts, he is addressing idle speculations, frivolous entertainments, empty hearing of the news, and curiosity into other people’s lives. In the age of the internet, the twenty-four hour news cycle, and a culture that seems eager to amuse itself to death, Goodman’s words are solemn warnings.

The imaginations of man are also addressed by Goodwin. Whether they are on present things, future things, past things, or imaginary things, they are all too often sinful in themselves or they crowd out thoughts of the things of God.

How to fight the great evils of our thoughts? Goodwin directs us to be humble before God, confessing them as sin. He also   directs us to keep a guard over our thoughts; thoughts are like a spring, from which come words and actions. Lay up heavenly truth, for if you do this you will be more likely to think on the things of God. Do all you can to keep lively, holy, and spiritual affections in your heart. Focus your thoughts on God and his holiness, majesty, omnipresence, and omniscience. Begin your day with God, keep watch through the day with God, and end your day with God. Guard your eyes, says Goodwin (and I think he would agree that we should also guard our ears as well). Be diligent in your calling, and above all, commit all your ways to the Lord.

This book is less than a hundred pages long, and can be read easily in two or three settings. The editing has made it more accessible for readers in the twenty-first century. It is a powerfully convicting work, and a very practical one. Last but not least, it is an encouraging book. Goodwin is well known for his Christ-centeredness and his deep grasp of the Gospel. Here he shows his skill as a pastoral counsellor. He distinguishes between the annoying presence of vain thoughts and the embracing of them. He also comforts us with this thought: “Consider your thoughts that you might be humbled. But, for all their multitude, do not be discouraged. For God has more thoughts of mercy than you have of rebellion.”

Gordon begins by pointing out that within a theist worldview and framework, ethics is about living as God our Maker intended for us to live. Every decision that we make either contributes to or detracts from human life as God created it. Only human beings amongst God’s creatures have the capability to examine, ponder, and compare choices. This in turn means that when you wrestle with questions about life choices, you have already stepped into the field of ethics. What you need to do is ask the right questions that will hopefully yield good answers.

Furthermore, ethics is not merely choosing between “good” and “evil,” but choosing between “good” and “better.” Gordon points to Mary and Martha in Luke 10. The choice to serve is lauded throughout Scripture, but while Martha had made a good choice, it was Mary who had made the better choice in listening to Jesus.

Gordon lays out five models for making ethical decisions – the Imitation Model, the Law Model, the Wisdom Model, the Communion Model, and the Warfare Model. Each model asks its own sets of questions, brings its own insight to the matter at hand, has a Biblical basis, complements each other, and has their own special strengths and weaknesses.

The Imitation Model asks, “Does this decision allow me (or us) to emulate God or to cultivate human traits that reflect his image?” Amongst its strengths is that it brings the glorification of God back into ethics. A weakness it has is that you really have to do your homework to grasp God’s communicable attributes for you to emulate.

The Law Model asks, “Has God, in Holy Scripture, commanded or prohibited this behavior?” This model can be seen in the exposition of the Ten Commandments in our catechisms. One great strength is that it is a strong check against subjectivism. A great weakness is that it can get one focused on dos and don’ts and one ends up looking like a Pharisee.

The Wisdom Model asks, “What is the likely outcome of the decision?” This model is useful for addressing all those questions that do not have answers in Biblical Law. The great problem with this model is that the culture is totally opposed to it. The vast amount of “information” bombarding us (and who knows what part of that “information” is nonsense or worse), the exaltation of youth culture (the very thing the Bible points to as foolishness), and the fast pace of life today act against it.

The Communion Model asks, “How might this decision enhance or inhibit my (or our) communion with God?” This model is excellent in focusing on the relationship with God. If not combined, however, with the objective teaching of Scripture, it could result in the person drifting off into mysticism.

The Warfare Model asks, “Will this decision likely serve the forces of good or the forces of evil?” This model causes us to see that we are truly in a spiritual war and encourages us to be prepared. It does require an understanding of Satan and his tactics. All too often in this day and age, however, too few Christians have that understanding.

What model does Gordon favor? He believes that the Imitation Model is the basis of the ethical enterprise, and in fact embraces the other four models. Since all five models are seen in the Bible and each address ethics in its own way, I would agree.

The book is short (140 pages total), written with clarity for people in the pew, but packed full of solid thought. Gordon has done the Church a great service in laying out Biblical approaches to decision making, and showing that ethical decision making involves not merely making good decisions, but the best ones.

The book of Exodus records the Israelites’ long journey through the desert wilderness to the promised land. They, too, had a habit of complaining. Even after a series of miracles rescued them from the Egyptians (supernatural plagues, protection of their firstborn from the angel of death, and the parting of the Red Sea which engulfed Pharaoh and his army), three days into their journey they complained there was no water to drink. They had a grumbling problem. But God provided yet another miracle. He told Moses to throw a branch into the water, which miraculously made it clean. It was a test from God where he revealed himself as their merciful healer. 

If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer. (Exodus 15:26)

About a month later came another complaint, this time for food. God responded by sending manna every morning, along with rules about how the manna was to be gathered, how long it could be kept, and how it could be stored for the Sabbath.    

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. (Exodus 16:4)

The Israelites’ complaining problem was really a faith problem. While they were hungry, they accused Moses, and by inference, God, of bringing them to the wilderness to kill their entire group. They lacked all faith that the God who had performed miracles to rescue them from slavery, did not care enough to feed them. Their faithlessness led to more grumbling, once again for water.

God revealed the Israelites’ real problem through these tests. Their sickness was the same illness for which we need healing today, and that my study leader discovered with the daily provision of bread. Our faith is weak and our trust waivers. God allowed the Israelites to walk in the desert to the promised land, testing them by giving provisions one day at a time. He fed them daily manna for 40 long years.

Our physical needs can lead us to recognize our spiritual needs. During his earthly ministry, Jesus told the crowds to come to him for spiritual hunger and spiritual thirst.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn’t give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”  Then they said, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.” (John 6:32-35)

One day all the rebellious children of God will enter the greater promised land by the grace of God and the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. 

Lord, help us to remember with grateful hearts that all daily provisions come from you. When we grumble about physical hunger and thirst, and all other problems in life, we grumble against you, who has been faithful to be our provider, healer, and sustainer.  Thank you that Jesus is our manna who promises eternal life to those who believe in him.

According to tradition, Valentine was a priest in Rome in the third century.  At that time Rome was having difficulty getting soldiers to join the military because their spouses objected to them leaving their families. Marriages were therefore outlawed. Valentine defied the government by conducting weddings, but when discovered, was put in jail.

One legend has it that Valentine ministered during his jail time. He witnessed to the guards, one of whom had an adopted daughter who was blind. As the story goes, Valentine prayed for the girl, and she subsequently regained her sight. The emperor ordered Valentine beheaded, but in his last days, Valentine left a note for the young girl which he signed “from your Valentine.”  Valentine was made a saint by the Roman church after his death. 

By the 18th century, it became popular for those in love to exchange tokens of affection “from their Valentine.” You would think the hearts and flowers of the holiday would turn our heads toward thoughts of love and marriage. But it often has the opposite effect. Those who do not receive some tangible, even expensive, gift may feel disappointed.  Those who are single may feel left out. The beauty of love is reduced to a need to receive physical evidence that someone truly cares for us.

Christians need to keep a close eye on our feelings during this holiday. Without proper perspective, this holiday can become idolatrous. We are the church, the bride of Christ.  Married or single, in love or hopeful, Christ calls believers his bride. We are his. He loves us not because we are lovely but makes us holy and lovely by his cleansing. Ephesians 5:25-27 tells us, “. . . Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Christ’s love is the love that will fulfill.

Charles Spurgeon said this in his sermon titled “Love Stronger than Death”: 

Beloved, you are “his own” now, because you have yielded yourselves to him. You delight to think that you are his. There is no greater joy to you than to feel that you belong to Christ! The fact that you are truly Christ’s is the fountain of innumerable pleasures and blessings to your heart! Jesus calls us, “his own”—his own sheep, his own disciples, his own friends, his own brethren, the members of his body! What a title for us to wear, “his own”! How many regiments have felt pleasure in being called the king’s own, the queen’s own, the prince’s own! Oh, but we are HIS OWN! He owns us! He calls us, “his own.” Thus he distinguishes us from the rest of mankind and sets us apart unto himself. “My name shall be named on them,” he says. We are “his own.”

The love represented in Valentine’s Day greetings pales in comparison to the love that we have in Christ. And even that love pales in comparison to what we have to look forward to in heaven. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12). To be fully known and loved anyway, beyond measure, is God’s gift to his people. We are his and he is ours. And for that our joy is complete. On Valentine’s Day we can still enjoy the flowers and candy if they come our way, but our joy in the Lord should be our cherished priority and evident to all.  

Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  

Lord, you are the eternal source of love. Write these words on my heart that I may live my life for you, selflessly demonstrating the love you have for your own. Remove any insecurities I have that somehow I don’t measure up. I am yours and you are mine, and that is all that matters.