If you and I listen to the commercials, we would believe that love is all about flowers, candy, cards and jewelry.  We are constantly bombarded with the idea that love is demonstrated by the gifts one gives to another, in fact, if you ask most anyone, the more the gift costs, the more love is evident.  What does this say about us?  I believe it says that we have lost the meaning of love.  Jesus stated that our love is demonstrated to Him by our obedience to His commandments (John 14:15).  He also states that our love for Him is demonstrated in how we love each other (John 13:35).

 

                    It is interesting that the two ways that we are to show our love for our Lord is to first obey him, and second to love one another.  So, one big way to accomplish the first is to do the second.  Amazing isn't it?  We as believers spend so much time trying to figure out how to get to the "Next level" spiritually, while all along the first step on the ladder to the top is to love each other fully.  How is this accomplished?

 

                    It is accomplished by following the command of what true and lasting love is.  Namely what is illustrated and enumerated in 1 Corinthians 13.  This so-called love chapter of the Bible tells us everything we need to know about what real and lasting love looks like.  This passage tells us that love is not things like envy, boastfulness, rudeness and self-seeking.  Real love is not easily angered nor does it keep lists and records of the failures or wrongs of others.  Love does not find joy in evil or in the pain of others.

 

                    So what is love all about?  It is about the caring for the others of one's life.  It is patient and kind.  This means that love is always faithful to find a way to reach to where the other person is and willing to touch that person's need no matter the inconvenience or disruption caused by the other person or to the person who is doing the loving.  The Apostle Paul, the writer of this passage, tells us that true love never fails.  Though everything else will fail in life, love is the one thing, the one constant that will remain to the very end.

 

                    So while the retailers want us to believe that what will bring lasting joy into the lives of those we love will be the stuff we buy, according to the Bible it is the thing we are that is most important.  So, buy a card, get some candy (especially the bright shiny kind that reflects the light-diamonds) and deliver all of this at a flashy restaurant.  I am sure that your loved one will appreciate all of that.  But what will ultimately last is who you are with and to that important person in your life.

 

                    While these principles are aimed at love relationships in the marriage and family, the church family is also impacted by these actions too.  If we want God to be pleased with us in the house of faith we need to observe these same principles there as well.  Let's make this love season a real love season, let's love our Lord by obeying His command to love one another as He loved us.  Have a lovely Valentine's Day!

 

Pastor Bill Phillips