Devotional from Pastor Tim

Valentine’s Day reminds us that we were created for love. Yet the world often defines love by sentiments, feelings, and performance. When love is tied to feelings or performance, it becomes fragile—easily strengthened by success and easily threatened by failure. No wonder so many quietly ask, Am I really loved? Especially when circumstances are heavy or when we are painfully aware of our own failures.

God’s love answers that question in a complete and different way. Scripture tells us that God does not love us because He is emotional or because we are lovable or because we get it right. Love is more than just how He feels or just what He has…it’s who He is! God is love. And He settled the question of His love at the cross. In Romans, it declares, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Love was not a reward after we improved. It was demonstrated while we were still lost and helpless.

The cross stands as the unshakable proof that God loves you. He is for you and His love is not fragile. It does not rise and fall with your emotions, your obedience, or your circumstances. It is anchored in His character and expressed through His Son. If God did not spare His own Son, you never have to question whether He loves you.

The Christian life, then, is not about earning love, keeping love, or proving love. It is about receiving love. When we live loved, fear begins to lose its grip. Performance loses its power. We are no longer striving to get something from God or from others. We are free to love because we have already been freely loved.

Living loved does not make us careless; it makes us secure. And security produces real transformation. As you rest in God’s unwavering affection today, let your heart settle here: You do not have to try to beloved. You already are. That love is personal, permanent, and forever proven in Jesus.

“We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19