For many centuries people have celebrated Valentine’s Day all over the world. Historians believe that it was started as a Roman festival in which couples would often celebrate their love and get married. Later the church wanted to turn the festival into a Christian celebration and decided to remember St. Valentine at the same time.
While the exact origins of St. Valentine is still somewhat of a question – many believe that he was a man who, despite being imprisoned, refused to renounce his Christian faith. He pleaded before the judge for the lives of those Christians imprisoned with him. Often he was able to save those lives. Eventually, his dedication to his faith in Jesus led to him being executed. He showed his love for others and for Jesus even unto death.
Whatever the origins of Valentine’s Day we can always celebrate love. It was for love that God sent Jesus to redeem us from sin and death. Jesus demonstrated the love of the Father so many times as he healed the sick, raised the dead and gave sight to the blind. Today we can show love to those around us both in word and deed.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in the Passion Translation we read:
4 Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. 5 Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.6 Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.7 Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.
God loved us so much that He gave His son. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life. There are many scriptures that speak of love and how it acts. We don’t just love when things are going great. In these turbulent times it is so important to walk in love. God has given the power to do just that through the Holy Ghost.
Romans 5:5 says, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.“
How can you demonstrate love to those around you today?