True Love

-February 14, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday, happy Valentine’s Day,

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

(1John 4:7).

The Apostle John is affectionately known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” It is therefore appropriate that he should write so much on love. Jesus loved all of His disciples, but He had special, close relationship with John. John was the one who leaned his head in Jesus’ breast.

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day of love. St. Valentine was a real person, a genuine believer in Christ who was imprisoned and martyred for his faith in his blessed Savior. He sent out heart shaped cards from prison to the saints to encourage them on how much God loved them and he loved them.

Valentine’s Day has become a day of romantic love, but it much more. There are three Greek words in the NT for love: “agape,” God’s love, the greatest and highest love; “phileo,” the love of others, which should always flow from the love of God for us; and “eros,” which is physical or romantic love between a man and woman.

Paul spent a whole chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 on the subject of true love, what it is, what it isn’t, and the effect it has in our lives. Love goes beyond emotion to motion, or action. John tells us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.” 1 John 3:18 says, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t say, “I love you,” we should always, but it should be shown in actions.

When God is the source of our love, it will be true love; a love that cares, a love that shares, a love that gives, a love that sacrifices, a love that helps, a love that comforts, a love that never fails.

Valentine’s Day is for all of us, all the married couples, and even those who are single. It is also a special day for kids. There is a lady in our church named Cindy who gives a Valentine’s card, signed by Jesus, and chocolate bar to all the single people in our church every year. I consumed well before today.

Let us remember the extent, the excellence, and the expression of God true love and how to show it to others. Have a blessed Valentine’s Day with the one special person or persons in your life. Stay safe and healthy.

Love begins at home, but doesn’t end there.

Dean