NO GREATER LOVE: Reflections on Valentines Day!

But God demonstrates
His own love toward
 us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ
died for us." (Rom. 8:5)

Some of us, I believe are in love with the idea of love.  I know I am.  Why else would I watch all those sappy movies on the Hallmark channel!  If you're a fan, then you know that after awhile you figure out that the plots and storylines are basically the same with little variation and are quite predictable!  But still I watch!

Although for me Hallmark provides a pleasant escape from the realities of some relationships I'm aware of; it does remind me that a lot of drama could be resolved if we only demonstrated genuine love!

Let me be clear.  I'm not talking about obligatory love recognition days: birthdays, anniversaries, and the most popular one--Valentines day.  These are times when our
significant others feel compelled to do something, even if their hearts aren't in it! 

When it comes to Valentines Day, I don't trip! The love I yearn for is 24/7, 365 days and it is felt even when I don't get jewelry, candy, or a card.  It is that agape love demonstrated first by Christ and then given to all Christians as a communicable attribute (divine characteristics that humans can also possess).  Years ago I had to adjust my thinking on this whole idea of Valentines Day when my husband failed to live up to my expectations.   Maybe you do too!

Are you ready for a quick bible lesson?

From the biblical worldview there are four kinds of love we experience.  They all come from words translated from the Greek:

💝 EROS - physical, sensual intimacy, sexual attraction, yearning or desire.  It is what I believe popular culture describes as having chemistry with someone.  Beware of basing relationships on eros alone for it is often impulsive and fleeting. It is not sustainable by itself but enhances the husband and wife relationship.  (Ex: Song of Solomon in the bible)

💞PHILEO - brotherly/sisterly love; close friendships, generous and affectionate.  A love that wishes the best, celebrates successes, is compassionate, shares your pain and grieves your loss.
These are your ride and die friends, committed to the end.  (Ex: David and Jonathan  I Samuel 18:1-3)

💗STORGE - affectionate love between family members. unforced love between husband and wife, or parent and child. (Ex: Jacob and Joseph or Mary, Martha and Lazarus)

💖 AGAPE -sacrificial, undeserving, a noble, powerful act of the will.  The kind of love that God had for sinful mankind when He sent His Son to redeem us. (Rom. 5:8). The kind of love Christ had for us when He willingly gave up heaven to live among us to suffer and die as the Perfect sacrifice for our sins (Phil 2:5-11).  

Agape love is the Valentines love gift!  that we can give to others any time. The kind that makes you stay in the relationship even if you don't like the other person's behavior or attitude.  However, It does not require a significant other.  We can even give it to ourselves.   It is described in I Corinthians 13:4-7 as this:

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; 

it is not arrogant 5 or rude.

 It does not insist on its own way; 

it is not irritable or resentful.

6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,

 but rejoices with the truth. 

7 Love bears all things, believes all things, 

hopes all things, endures all things.

Does your boyfriend, fiance, husband, or significant other show this kind of love?  If not, then whatever you receive on Valentines Day will  not matter!  It makes no difference how pretty it's wrapped or how much it cost, it falls short of the grace of God!   There is no Greater Love than what Christ gave you upon salvation and it is a gift that continues to give!

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, 

these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This Valentine's Day go ahead and celebrate! Even if you have to do so alone!  God is the Perfect Valentine's date and He promises never to disappoint you!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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