REAL LOVE

By: Dennis Harworth

    It is February, already and everywhere in stores, shops and restaurants, there are posters and banners as reminders of “love”.  These are advertisements to not forget that special someone on Valentine’s Day this February 14th.  Although though this is a kind of love, it is not the kind of love that we receive from our loving Heavenly Father.

    I would venture to say that most people do not know the reason for the festivities of Valentine’s Day; other than it is a commercial celebration of love and romance, bringing profit to the flower, chocolate, greeting card and jewelry industries.  Like most holidays that the world has perverted, Valentine’s Day has a Christian background and a reason for its famous February date.  It is otherwise known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentines, which originated as a Christian feast honoring Saint Valentine on February 14th.  Through folklore and traditions this day has been associated with both cultural and religious celebrations of love and romance throughout the world.

    According to ancient stories, Valentine of Rome, was a priest and became known as the patron saint of love.  He was put into prison for ministering to Christians and performing weddings for soldiers that were believers, who had been forbidden to marry.  While in prison, the Roman Emperor Claudius II was so impressed by Valentine that he tried to convert him to Roman paganism in an attempt to save his life. Valentine not only refused, but tried to convert the Emperor to Christianity.  For this he was executed and became a martyr.

    However, before his execution, the legend claims Valentine miraculously restored the sight of Julia, the blind daughter of his jailer, Asterius.  As a result, Julia and the entire forty-six member household of the jailer accepted Jesus and were baptized.  To add luster to the legend, it is reported that Valentine sent a farewell letter to the jailer’s daughter signed “Your Valentine”, just before his execution. Which eventually started the tradition of sending valentines.

    This absolutely could only have been God’s kind of love working through this man of God, knowing he was going to die.  Yet, not holding anything against his jailer, he prayed for the jailer’s daughter.  This love is straight out of 1Corinthians 13, known as the “Chapter of Love”.  Valentine is such a great example of displaying the love of God.  He loved God more than life and loved others to life even to the point of giving his own life.

    We know this is real love because, Jesus gave up His life for us, shouldn’t we also freely give up our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16, NLT).  Therefore this February 14th, remember the story of Saint Valentine and celebrate it by demonstrating the love of God every day, not just this one day.   Know this same love is available to each and every one, for God is love and His love is displayed through Jesus.  Thus, the more we become like Jesus, the more we will show others REAL LOVE.