February is known for many things but especially for Valentine’s Day. We but heart-shaped candies and boxes. Valentine’s cards have hearts. It is a time to think about love. We are told in many places in Scripture that we are to “love one another.”
“Love” is usually thought of as some warm, fuzzy feeling—if not even “mushy.” So frequently we men shy away from too much of this, except we do think about it on Valentine’s Day. However, the understanding of ”love” begins with God. Love in biblical terms begins not with the warm fuzzies but with the idea of commitment. This is the desire to seek and want what is best for the other person. But our example of love begins with God.
The apostle John tells us that “we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Then he continues: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn. 4:20-21).
There are no exceptions for those who hate us or mistreat us. Jesus said, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you” (Luke 6:27-28).
There is much hostility in our world—just spend some time on Facebook! As believers we must be leading the way in overcoming hate and hostility. Yes, Jesus did speak the truth and pointed out where some people were wrong. But we are told many times that as we speak the truth it must be in love (Ephesians 4:15).
So as we celebrate another Valentine’s Day we should have some warm fuzzy feelings for our dear ones. But we must remember that true love is ultimately that commitment towards the other person that seeks what is best for that person. Christ is our supreme example in love. May we “follow in His steps.”
And as Paul said, The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 1:14).
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