The true story of Valentines Day: Valentine was a Christian priest in the 200's. The emperor Claudius (also known as "Claudius the Cruel") had made it illegal to marry because he needed men to be in his army. But Valentine performed wedding ceremonies secretly. He believed that family and love were important to God and society. Valentine was arrested and executed for his faith on February 14th. Listen to the radio drama from Adventures in Odyssey about the history of Valentines day: The Last I Do -Adventure in Odyssey
What is love: Throughout the Bible we learn what love is. Love is patient towards others. It shows kindness. It doesn't covet or envy. It is not proud, selfish, arrogant, or boastful. Love puts others first, no matter what. It is not rude. It does nothing from selfish ambition and does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable. It does not take revenge on others. It is genuine. And it never ends. Love isn't love only when the other person is loving you back or only when you feel like loving. Love is self-sacrificing. Love rejoices with the truth! Love helps bear others burdens. It believes, hopes, and endures!
Why should we love: Okay. We know what love is. But why do we need to love others? Here are 5 reasons:
1. Because God's word commands us to. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.
2. It is the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:36-39 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" And [Jesus] said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The 2 greatest commandments God gives us is to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as we love ourselves! Love is the greatest commandment; first of all love for God, and then love for others.
3. It does no wrong. Romans 13:8-10 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is fulfilling the law. If love does no wrong, than why shouldn't we do it!
4. We have been given great love, we must also give it. God has given us the greatest love of all by sacrificing His Son's life for us! John 15:13-14 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. We must also be willing to love and forgive others the way God has loved and forgiven us!
5. Love is from God. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
What is the greatest example of love: When Jesus gave His very own life for us, He demonstrated the greatest love of all! Romans 5:8 -but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
How can I love others: How can we love our neighbors as ourselves? Well it has to start by loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind! If we repent of our sin and believe in Christ, because of His great love, we can be saved! John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to be called children of God. Then God will give us the strength and power to love others (even our enemies!) and obey His commands! We also must get read of any selfishness and "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."
Conclusion:
February 14th is a day to remember what God created love and family to be. It is a day to remember what love is and that we must love God above all. It's a day to refocus our hearts on God and on putting others above ourselves. May you celebrate the love Christ has given you and may you seek to love others the same way!
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