Around this time of year, flowers, hearts, and sweet treats are largely sold and advertised in just about every store and magazine. People generously give presents consisting of rich chocolate, fresh flowers, or even expensive jewelry. Each Valentine’s Day, the money spent on gifts for loved ones in the United States is a total of almost 20 billion dollars! However, the world has a different view of love than what God depicts it to be in His Holy Word. Hollywood and other famous stars paint the picture of love as a disease that you ‘catch,’ almost like a cold. Valentine’s Day is centered on love. This year, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let us remember and teach our kids what love really is, and what it does.
In First Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul writes about the actions that love will do. Here is a summary of the fruits of love:
Love is longsuffering- Love is kind
- Love does not envy
- Love does not boast
- Love behaves itself wisely
- Love seeks to fulfill the needs of others
- Love does not think evil thoughts
- Love does not rejoice in iniquity
- Love is joyful in the truth
- Love bears all things
- Love believes all things
- Love is hopeful of all things
- Love always endures
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
God sent His Son Jesus as the greatest gift that the world has ever known. What amazing love! We did nothing to deserve His great love and grace that He chose to show toward us. He knew every sin that we committed and every time we would choose not to follow His way, yet He chose to come to the earth and die on the cross for us. He did all this for us so that we can be saved from eternal separation from Him in Hell. Because of His great love, He provided a way – belief on His son Jesus to save us – for us to go to Heaven forever with Him. This Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the most amazing present that has ever been given. All we have to do is accept it.
