Next Sunday is Valentine’s Day, which of course is recognized as the National Day of Love. Sweethearts will grow closer together. There will be cards given, flowers and candy and other gifts exchanged. All of these are designed to show someone that they are loved. It is a fun day and it is good to have that special someone to love and someone special to love you. But in thinking of the theme of love I had some thoughts I wanted to share.
First, there is the love of family. Thank God we have the haven of family life. Thank God there is a love flowing between husbands and wives and parents and children. The family unit has been designated by God as the very basic unit in society and we need families that love one another. In these days when there are enemies trying to tear families apart, let’s all commit to doing our best to have strong families. Let’s build households of faith and love.
Second, there is the love among fellow Christians. When we come to faith in Christ, we find that we have a spiritual family. We find new brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of them have different ethnic and racial backgrounds or are from different cultures, but that makes no difference, because we are part of the same spiritual family. There must be love in that family. We must care for one another; we must help one another; we must lift one another. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.” That love reaches out and cares.
Third, there is the love of God. All of these other loves are based upon this one.
My Bible tells me that God is Love. My Bible tells me that God loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die for me, so that I might be made free from sin. And now every day He loves me and cares for me and helps me. As the songwriter said, “O love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong.” What great love that is.
As you think of love this week, I hope you will be reminded of these three loves. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Pastor Knox Bullock
Pilgrim Bible Church
361 Pine Street, Cedar Springs
