Stories abound concerning the meaning of Valentine’s Day, and the stories seem to reflect very little truth mixed with many myths and legends.
The Catholic Church recognizes three men (saints) with the name of Valentinus or Valentine , and again, stories abound. One story with very little to support it is told of a man with the name of Valentine who was going to be executed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. The story claims that he had fallen in love with his jailer’s daughter, and just before his death he wrote her a letter signing it “From your Valentine”. Certainly that is a popular phrase today.
Of course stories have evolved and card-makers have turned the entire idea into a profit making venture, selling over 150,000,000 cards each year. The makers of chocolates and florists haven’t done badly either, but what is the true story of love?
I would like to suggest that the real story of love begins with God.
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:10-11
PROPITIATION refers to the atoning death of Jesus on the cross, through which He paid the penalty demanded by God because of man's sin, thus setting mankind free from sin and death. The word comes from an old English word, propitiate, which means "to appease." Thus, propitiation expresses the idea that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for sin which a holy God demanded of man the sinner. [1]
You see the true story of love is not a novel and it is not based in romance. After all, what is romantic about the Son of God being sacrificed upon the cross on behalf of his enemies? Though not a novel and not romantic, we see clearly it is based squarely in the love of God, not our love for God, but His love for us. However we also see a major human element in this as well. Notice that the apostle John states, “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” John’s statement wasn’t about romance either, but rather is an attempt to show us we must be kind to one another, generous and honest in our dealings. We are not to be hot-headed or angry, not self-willed and selfish and we are not only to think of ourselves but should first think of others. My friends, the type of love John commends to us is not normal and does not come naturally. Actually this kind of love is only demonstrated super-naturally through the power of God. In other words, WE LOVE BECAUSE HE LOVES!
I invite you to come join us on Sunday in the fellowship of loving and caring people! God bless.
Pastor Jim
[1] (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
The Catholic Church recognizes three men (saints) with the name of Valentinus or Valentine , and again, stories abound. One story with very little to support it is told of a man with the name of Valentine who was going to be executed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. The story claims that he had fallen in love with his jailer’s daughter, and just before his death he wrote her a letter signing it “From your Valentine”. Certainly that is a popular phrase today.
Of course stories have evolved and card-makers have turned the entire idea into a profit making venture, selling over 150,000,000 cards each year. The makers of chocolates and florists haven’t done badly either, but what is the true story of love?
I would like to suggest that the real story of love begins with God.
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:10-11
PROPITIATION refers to the atoning death of Jesus on the cross, through which He paid the penalty demanded by God because of man's sin, thus setting mankind free from sin and death. The word comes from an old English word, propitiate, which means "to appease." Thus, propitiation expresses the idea that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for sin which a holy God demanded of man the sinner. [1]
You see the true story of love is not a novel and it is not based in romance. After all, what is romantic about the Son of God being sacrificed upon the cross on behalf of his enemies? Though not a novel and not romantic, we see clearly it is based squarely in the love of God, not our love for God, but His love for us. However we also see a major human element in this as well. Notice that the apostle John states, “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” John’s statement wasn’t about romance either, but rather is an attempt to show us we must be kind to one another, generous and honest in our dealings. We are not to be hot-headed or angry, not self-willed and selfish and we are not only to think of ourselves but should first think of others. My friends, the type of love John commends to us is not normal and does not come naturally. Actually this kind of love is only demonstrated super-naturally through the power of God. In other words, WE LOVE BECAUSE HE LOVES!
I invite you to come join us on Sunday in the fellowship of loving and caring people! God bless.
Pastor Jim
[1] (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)