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In much of the western hemisphere, today, 14^th of February, is Valentine’s Day – a commercially-driven, overly-sentimental excuse to give flowers, candy, greeting cards, and special dinners to one’s spouse/boy-friend/girl-friend, etc. Many people will experience disappointment today as they have no one to lavish these dainties upon them. Others will be disillusioned by lackluster “dates” with sub-par would-be wooers. Like so many things in this world, this pseudo-holiday will fail to live up to many people’s expectations. Therefore, I offer an encouraging portrait of the perfect lover: one who exhibits sacrificial care by meeting his beloved’s deepest needs, resolute faithfulness amidst all of life’s seasons, and unparalleled generosity in lavishing gifts on them.

 1. His Sacrificial Care

This “glorious bridegroom of our hearts”[1] went to a garbage heap to win His bride. In a true tale far beyond Cinderella’s mythical rise from rags to riches, He left a place of security and beauty to traverse a slum. To prepare His beloved for her new life, He paid her crushing load of debt, and then ushered her into a new life with new values, desires, and blessings. As Romans 5:8-10 describes His self-sacrificing care: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

2. His Resolute Faithfulness

This lover will never leave or forsake those who are in a relationship with Him (Heb. 13:5.) In adversity He is there to comfort and strengthen (2 Cor. 1:3-4.) In times of blessing, He gives joy and rejoices with His loved ones (Zeph. 3:17; Eph. 1:3.) When we are tired, He is unwearied, and watches over us (Psa. 120.) He provides, protects, guides, loves, and assures us that we are completely fulfilled in Him (Col. 2:20.) As the Bible speaks of Him: “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Dt. 7:9.) He promises: “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20.)

3. His Unparalleled Generosity

As a gift of love the Taj Mahal[2] pales in comparison to this one’s generosity: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16.) “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32.) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9.) There is no gift comparable to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was poured out as a sacrifice for our sin. Three days later He put the finishing touches on the gift by rising from the dead; now He offers us eternal life and love in Himself. As Bonar rightly called it “the gift of gifts all other gifts in one!”[3]

Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ through faith? Eternal life is a relationship; like other relationships it is personal (Jn. 17:3.) It is no use saying: “I know about Jesus. I know who He was, what He did, and what He taught.” Do you know Him personally? Have you repented of your sins, telling Him that you want salvation from the judgment that you justly deserve? (Rom. 10:9.) Have you left off trying to earn His love and salvation – something that He says we can never do (Eph. 2:8-9)? Tell the Lord that you do not want to live for this world anymore; rather you want Him, and you want Him to change you and take you to glory with Himself (1 Jn. 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:17.) If you do so sincerely, you will find the perfect Lover, who will save you and love you for this life and the one to come.