WATCHWORD:
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So, we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 1 John 3:16-17
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:4-7
Meditation:
What Is Love?
Today is Valentine’s Day. Where did that come from? Believe it or not it evolved from a Roman fertility festival of debauchery called Lupercalia. During this festival an order of Roman priests ran naked through the streets, gently slapping women with the blood-soaked hides of sacrificed animals which they believed promoted fertility. The women would then be paired off with men by a form of lottery. In the late 5th century Pope Gelasius outlawed Lupercalia, and designated February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day to replace the pagan holiday. What a history!
What is Love? That would seem to be a simple and rather obvious question, but I wonder. Have we redefined love in small and maybe even shabby ways? Seriously, have we thrown that word around for various personal, secular, and somewhat shady motives, maybe to get our way, or to forge a relationship that may or may not follow your heart? Or maybe to underscore something that your actions do not support.
We kick it around with phrases like “I love this music,” or “I love the food at this restaurant.” It comes out naturally and yet we don’t really mean love in the emotional or spiritual sense, we actually mean we kinda like the food, we kinda like the music, we kinda like the dog, we kinda like our car, we kinda liked this neighborhood, etc.
All that is well and good. We like those kinds of things, we favor those kinds of things but we don’t truly love those kinds of things. Now, if we truly loved those kinds of things, it seems to me, that borders on idol worship, and that would take us a step outside of Christianity. Wouldn’t it?
We are not told to love your neighbor as you love your car. Or, love one another as you love your dog. Come to think of it, for some, loving others as you love your dog, or cat, that might actually elevate their relationship with others. Hmm. It’s still idol worship.
Ah, so, is there a true meaning of love? Of course, there is. We find it throughout the Scriptures, Old and New Testament. We might think that love is an intangible. Let’s see, if your love for others causes them great joy and encouragement, they smile, and pass it on to others. That is love, that is a real thing.
Here is another part of the definition: “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.” Then John tells us what real love is: Real love was shown by Jesus when He gave up His life for us, and we ought to do the same for our brothers and sisters.
On a more direct level, God spoke to Moses, as reflected in Exodus. His words: “I am Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. There is your definition – Slow to anger and filled with compassion and mercy toward others. Go and do likewise. Amen.
Words on Love:
Pray for someone. Be a carrier of hope. Pause in your day to marvel at the beauty of nature, any nature. These are all fragments of love.
Prayer for Love:
Heavenly Father, Let the spirit of love bring unity, kindness, and compassion to all corners of the world. May we embrace one another with the warmth of Your love. Grant us serenity and joy that transcends circumstances, and let Your light shine brightly in our lives. Amen.
