Happy day after Valentine’s Day. Are you basking in the glow of a nice, romantic evening? Hitting up the clearance bins for the chocolates you didn’t get? Amused by how much others fuss over this “Hallmark Holiday”? Did you know that Valentine’s Day is named for a saint–St. Valentine?
Even the sources that report these stories don’t suggest that they are true, but the Bible does shed light on some truths about love. So, what does the Bible say about love?
God is Love. This is probably the first Bible verse I learned–probably without trying! (It’s from I John 4: 8). Even now, I can benefit from pondering its simplicity and profound truth.
Love is patient, love is kind. Once I start thinking about Bible verses about love, this passage from I Corinthians comes to mind.
We used it in our wedding service, did you?
We are commanded to love one another. 1 John 3: 11 says it plainly:
For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
You probably have heard the hymn, “They will know we are Christian by our love.” Sometimes those words strike me as over-confident, but I treat them as a standard to strive for. Am I showing the love for my “neighbor” that Jesus calls me to show? Would I want someone to judge Christians by the way I am acting?
Being a parent helped me understand “unconditional” love. Before I was a parent, I had a hard time understanding how God could love even the “worst” sinners. But, once I saw that I don’t love my kids any less when they make mistakes, lash out at me in anger, or get in trouble, I began to grasp the depth of God’s love. My experience as a parent also helped me realize that God doesn’t even expect us to be perfect –He loves us just as we are, even if He wishes we made better choices.
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Did you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Valentines day has kind of turned into a hallmark holiday but it is nice to stop and spend some extra time with the ones we love! I hope you had great weekend!
We don’t make a huge deal about it, but we do try more to be present with each other instead of doing our own things side-by-side.
What a sweet post! I completely agree having kids makes you really grasp unconditional love on a new level. My Dad’s birthday is Valentines Day so it has always been special to me.
Oh, that’s so sweet!
That’s a nice way to think about love. Valentine’s Day is kind of silly but it’s fun for the kids
Love this post! Our Valentine’s day was very low key. We just hung out at home. Our daughter’s birthday was Monday, so we went to the Olive Garden and shopping on Monday, so we didn’t do anything for Valentine’s day. Hubby cooked up some pork steaks and we had a nice dinner. I ran my long run at the gym since it’s been so cold here. We were also sick all week.
Something to really think about with those questions – “Am I showing the love to my neighbors that Jesus calls me to show?” and “Would I want someone to judge Christians by my actions?” Umm….some days that would be a huge NO!!!
Great post!!!
Especially if people could read my mind in traffic. 🙁