When you hear of valentine, what comes to mind? Loveeeeee. Yes, of course. It is. It is a season (but not the only season) to share. We are to show love every single day of our lives. We are not just celebrating love but someone who stood for what he believed. That man is St. Valentine. He carried out weddings for Soldiers who were forbidden to marry. Back to my point of discussion, many outings, proposals, will be carried out today which is fine. But we must not forget the most important gift to humanity; love.
Source: Pixabay
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not rejoice at evil, but does whenever the truth wins out. Love does not keep account of wrong. Love gives. Love heals.
These and many more are the proofs of love. But I want to focus on just one point today; love gives. John 3:16 tells us God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. Take a deep breath. The 'so' quantifies the extent to which He loved the world. His love for us is unquantifiable. Romans 5:8 tells us He demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners; crooked and unholy. There was no beauty in us that He should desire us at all. But the perfection of beauty chose the imperfect to pour out His affections on. That is why David exclaimed what is man that You are mindful of. It's like beauty meeting disaster, ugly, 'nothing to write home abouts', and if there are worse descriptions, it would perfectly fit. It was love He demonstrated by not calling for twelve legions of angels to defend Him before the crucifixion. Hebrews 12:2 tells us He saw the joy ahead, endured the cross, and despised the shame. That was love at work. Love restricted Him from taking actions that could have forever closed our chapter as Men. He was not killed, He yielded His spirit, went to hell and destroyed hell's forces. He willingly gave Himself for us. It is one thing to give gifts, it is another to give yourself. Thats exactly what He did. Thats why Paul would say I do not desire yours but You. God accepts us first before our gifts. Let go to the second point.
Giving His only begotten son. It is easier to give when there is abundance. It is easier to give one out coat out of two, easier to give what you aren't using. But it is very difficult to do so when you just have one and that one is for yourself. That's exactly what God did. He had Jesus as the only begotten son. Yet, in His magnanimity, He did. Unless a corn of wheat falls to the ground and die, it abides alone. Today, that single sacrifice has and will continue to birth many sons. This valentine, dont just give anything. Give sacrificially.
Finally, I want to use this medium to say Happy birthday to one of my student; Favour. As your name is, so are your days. You will continually have favour with God and Men.
Source: Mine