More Than One Day
Like most marriage ceremonies, Denise and I had 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 read “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. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
It’s clear in those verses that LOVE is not just a thought or feeling, but something that requires action.
As we approach Valentine’s Day, the Marketing Gurus work hard to tell us that we must buy flowers, a gift or take our wife/girlfriend to dinner. However, these gurus have never met my wife.
Before I continue let me say, Denise is not anti-Valentine’s Day. However, one thing I learned early about her, if the only time I thought to buy her flowers or take her to dinner was February 14, it would not be appreciated. This is one of her quirks that I admire. She believes that love is a sequence of daily events. She understands that love is more than one day and more than just a feeling: it’s an action. In her words “Love is a sacrifice.” At least I know someone was listening to my sermons
Webster’s defines Love as: “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties: affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests.” Notice the words ‘arising out of‘ and ‘based on.’ These words imply that we love conditionally. Not only do we as human beings love with conditions, but our love is unpredictable. We love based on feelings and emotions that can change from one moment to the next.
The Bible says Love is from God [1 John 4:7-8] He loved us as sinners [Romans 5:8] God gave His Son because He loved us [John 3:16] to give us an abundant life [John 10:10-11] and that God does not change [Malachi 3:6]
This is why you must learn to LOVE beyond reason! Unlike human love, God’s love is unconditional. His love is not based on a feeling or emotions. He gave His own Son, who willingly sacrificed His life for us. His love doesn’t arise out of who we are, God loves us because He is Love.
If you don’t have someone to share Valentine’s with, then share it with God. God is love and He will never leave you or forsake you. There is certainly none better to have a relationship with.
If you do have someone, then do more than just buy flowers, a gift or have a dinner date once a year. Make this Valentine’s Day the beginning of real love by inviting God [Who is love] into your relationship.
And no matter who you are:
It’s time to Go beyond human emotion or feeling
It’s time to Behold the Love of God
It’s time to Live in His unconditionally Love
It’s time to Be a daily example of God’s Love
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