There is red popping up everywhere. Hearts and roses are on display. It’s the season to show and tell someone how special they are to you, by saying “Happy Valentines Day!!”
Oftentimes we only think of a romantic love when we hear about Valentine’s Day neglecting the other forms of love; self love, relationships between friends and family and the relationship with God.
In this time of love, we should pause to consider love in reverse. That is, God loved us, giving us the ability to love others and ourselves.
The Love of God is detailed in the most memorized verse from the Bible, John 3:16. It tells of how amazing this love truly is. God sent his only son to save a condemned world. This world, originally polluted by man’s own desire, is redeemed by God’s one son. Imagine such a love; sacrificial, unconditional. Through God’s love, we are able to love ourselves and others in the same manner; sacrificial and unconditionally.
1 Corinthians 13 verses 4-6 gives the ultimate guide on loving as Christ did. It states:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (NIV)
These verses encourages parents of wayward children to pray and forgive. They teach husband and wives to be careful of what is said when a disagreement arises. Coworkers need not lobby for the downfall of each other. We should uplift, not tear down. We should praise the accomplishments of others rather than bragging on ourselves. And yes, we can all probably lose a few extra pounds but overly criticizing ourselves won’t help.
If we consider God’s love as a seed, the plant that results should bare fruit that pertains to the seed planted. Admittedly, sometimes we may fall short of the standard of love set in Corinthians. But it is my hope that, from now on, everything we do or say be done in the love of Christ.