True Love

Today is the Eve of St. Valentine's Day. Can you imagine just how busy flower and gift shops are right about now? Everybody wants to get a Valentine. Being loved, and being shown that you are loved, are awesome feelings. The Bible tells us volumes of information about love. Jesus said we are to love everybody just as much as we love ourselves. But there is one love that should be even greater than our love for others. That is our love for Jesus Christ. How do we show our love for the Lord? One way is by demonstrating true faith in Him.

In the 8th chapter of Matthew, we learn of a man's faith that, in Jesus' words, was "amazing". He was a Roman soldier, and he asked Jesus to heal his servant. That in itself demonstrated the soldier's degree of love for others, even for his servant. But it was his amount of faith in God that amazed Jesus. Jesus told him that He would go to the soldier's servant. But the soldier insisted that he was not worthy of Jesus coming into his house, and he asked if Jesus would just say the word, and that would instantly heal his servant from there. Do we have that much faith in Jesus? That soldier knew that it was God's Word, not just His touch, that brought healing power to suffering people. Contrast that level of faith with the faith of Thomas. Thomas could not believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead unless he could actually see Him and "place his hands in His wounds." I can't judge Thomas' lack of faith because Lord knows my faith falters sometimes too. But with His help, maybe it can grow! And by growing my faith in Jesus, I will also be growing my love for Him. And not just some sweet, little Valentine love...but a deep, spiritual love that simply can not be explained.

Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

Father, please help me to increase my faith in You. I want to have as much faith as that Roman soldier. In Jesus name, Amen.