Well, today is supposed to be a day about “love”, but is it really?
Dr Bob Thiel (aka, COGWriter) recently wrote about the “Pagan Origins of Valentine’s Day” and today responds to a Christianity Today article on the topic in “CT: Worldly ‘Christianity’ and Valentine’s Day”.
Not only should we be suspicious of the origins, but it is also a big money-making holiday. That brings in scammers as well. A couple of years ago, I posted about both in “Should Christians Celebrate Valentine’s Day?”, and recently Sophos’ Naked Security blog posted that “Valentine’s Day scams spread virally on Facebook”.
I see Richard posted a more humorous article on The Blog of Columbus titled “14 FEB 11: Have a Loveless Day” that covers a tongue-in-cheek look at a Christian dealing with Valentine’s Day. I even learned that there is a “National Day of Hate” in Cambodia in May.
In light of recent discussions, though, I want to focus on something Jesus said about love. God’s view of love is far above the human view of love. Valentine’s Day focuses on all the wrong aspects of love. Romantic love is good between a husband and wife, but society degrades it into lust and covetousness. It becomes about whether or not you can “get” the guy or girl. Godly love, however, is outgoing concern for others. It is focused on others.
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48, King James Version)
Our enemies won’t care if they hurt us. They probably won’t apologize or feel sorrow about anything they’ve done to you. They will probably continue to be a pain in your side. And yet, we are to love them anyhow.
And yes, you have to forgive them if you are going to love them. That is how we become “perfect, even as your Father which in heaven is perfect” because He has already forgiven His enemies. His Son died for us even before we were called.