What Is Love?
The world gets so excited for this one day out of the year; when they get to express their love through flowers, candies, jewelry and other gifts. For many this may be the only day that they hear and see the words: I love you.
How did this day even come about? Let's take a trip down the history lane and educate ourselves.
"Some trace Valentine’s Day origins to a Christian effort to replace a pagan fertility festival that has been dated as far back as the 6th century B.C. During the festival of Lupercalia, Roman priests would sacrifice goats and dogs and use their blood-soaked hides to slap women on the streets, as a fertility blessing. According to legend, women would later put their names in an urn and be selected to be paired with a man for a year. Hundreds of years of traditions and customs have made it into the holiday that we observe today".
"Lupercalia was an ancient pagan festival held each year in Rome on February 15. Although Valentine’s Day shares its name with a martyred Christian saint, some historians believe the holiday is actually an offshoot of Lupercalia. Unlike Valentine’s Day, however, Lupercalia was a bloody, violent and sexually charged celebration awash with animal sacrifice, random matchmaking and coupling in the hopes of warding off evil spirits and infertility." https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/lupercalia
Here is another article that breaks it all down as well: https://www.countryliving.com/life/a46353/history-of-valentines-day/
So often, we as individuals and believers jump on the bandwagon of celebrating and coming into agreement with people, places and things without getting a full understanding of its origin!
We just know that it's a tradition or culture and we get drawn away with it. It becomes an idol because for many they will give their all to a "holiday" and will fight and curse you out; if you try to take it away from them.
What is an idol? "an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship. And person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered". Oxford Languages Dictionary
For many of you, your Pastor is an idol! You worship them; more than you do God!!
Let me also share the definition for the word origin: "the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived" Oxford Languages Dictionary
As Christians, Kingdom citizens we should know that God is love and the Bible breaks it down for us and what true love really means and looks like.
This scripture is the most go to scripture that breaks down what love is:
"1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." NKJV
Let me break it down like this:
Love doesn't look like competition!! Kingdom people don't need to compete; because they know and trust in the God; that they serve! We believe that God will provide all of our needs and that includes opening doors; that no man can shut. Anyone that claims to be of God; but, treats you like their competition and goes out of their way to wage war in your life; needs to be escorted out of your life. You aren't on the same team.
Love doesn't hurt, harm or abuse you!! We often hear in the "church world" to do things in love. God will chastise those that He loves! Hebrews 12:6-11 As a parent, have you ever raised your voice at your child? As a child, has your parent ever raised their voice at you? Did they love you any less? Love doesn't always look or feel good when it comes to being chastised or disciplined! Many children are hard of hearing; they want to do things their way; instead of the right way and many times that will lead them to destruction! If you see someone that you love on the path to destruction are you going to whisper to them to get their attention?
Don't let tradition be the only time that you show love that is free; and doesn't cost you one penny to show or give it away freely!!!
Be blessed!!!
