By Dr. Lewis Akpogena

February 14 comes a time all over the world that record of history is remembered about the deeds and acts of a Christian man, Bishop known as Saint Valentine. The deeds of Saint Valentine which among others were the love notes he sent to a girl in prison, the message of love he preached and above all that he was martyred for speaking against the oppression of the downtrodden by the have and those in authority epitomizes love of God. A lot of things have been associated with this day. Ranging from legendry stories to the mating of birds to the fertility of couples who have sexual intercourse on that day. Saint Valentine may have expressed and demonstrated love by his deeds.

These acts and demonstration of love have been misunderstood by many. So, the day February 14 many have used the day to engage in immoral and deprave activities that are sinful and ungodly.
Many all over the world engage in sexual orgies, immoral parties, and night clubs for drinking alcoholic drinks or wines, smoking cigarettes, cocaine, and heroine and indulge in despicable habits and sin. So many activities that induce fleshly and sinful behaviors are what many institutions promote on February 14. Were these what Saint Valentine preached and practiced? It was not! Why so many engage doing the wrong thing on valentine day?

 It is because they do not have knowledge of the true and greatest lover of all times. Who is this person? God! God’s word the Bible reveal and attest to this: “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God - for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that he loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.” (1 John 4:7-12, NLB).

The greatest lover is God. Why? God gave His only son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of our sins by dying on the cross for all mankind. This atoning sacrifice adequately paid for all mankind’s wrong doing and penalty. Whereas Saint Valentine acts and deeds of love demonstrate love for few individuals in his time, it did not bring about forgiveness of sins or salvation of all who believed. God’s loves demonstrated in Jesus Christ bring about forgiveness of sins, salvation of all mankind that believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection (Rom. 10:8-13).

What demonstrate love? Is it in getting drunk? Cigarette or cocaine? Taking new girlfriends or lovers to bed on Valentine day? How does what you engage in on February 14 help your life to be bettered? Does going to night clubs, carrying women and sleep with them on Valentine day promote godliness and liberate from sin? No! So if you engage in all these vices on lover’s day, you are not practicing what St. Valentine preached or what Jesus died to save you from the bondage of sin.

What is real love? “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love…” (1 Jn. 4:9-10, NLB). Real love gives eternal life and delivers from sin. St. Valentine’s love never gives life nor does it forgive sin. God’s love does. Jesus Christ is the epitome of this real love. To experience this real love that saves, give life and delivers from the bondage of sin, sickness and death, you must receive - accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (Jn. 1:11-13). For the Bible record: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. The judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear that their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants” (Jn. 3:16-21, NLB).

Jesus Christ is the epitome of love. For God is love. St. Valentine only preached and practiced love. Valentine was not love. God is love. Whoever that love another person demonstrates that he/she know God and God lives in him or her. From the above scriptures, it is clear why some people engage in evil practices and go on wild parties, clubs, fight, steal, rob with guns and even kill on Valentine day. These people love darkness because their deeds are evil. No one do the wrong thing during daylight or in the presence of other. People steal, kill, and go to party and clubs in the night. Is what you are doing on February 14 - lover’s day right? Does it liberate anybody? Does it help other live better lives? Those who experience God’s love, love at all times not only on February 14 (See Prov. 17:17).

Their love is showed by helping needy people, feeding the poor, clothing and housing the homeless, rehabilitating the orphans, widows, destitute, repentant prostitutes, cultists and militants etc. The love of God delivers and frees people from doing the wrong thing. Love covers all sins (Prov. 10:12). The love of God will keep you from doing what is wrong (See Rom. 13:8-10). “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Rom. 12:9-10, NLB).

Real love gives. God gave His son. What do you give on valentine day? Some give valentine cards, sex and other gift items. Does that express true love? “If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. But if any one has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help - how can God’s love be in that person?

Dear Children, let us stop just saying we love each other, let us really show it by our actions” (1 Jn. 3:14-18, NLB). The greatest lover is God. God demonstrated this love by giving His son, Jesus Christ. This love liberates and saves from sin. This love gives eternal life. This love is for all times not just for February 14. This love does not indulge in sinful activities. This love of God helps the needy and the poor. What do you give during Valentine day? Does it help someone to be better or leads to sin? May the greatest lover - God shower you His true love that you will live for Him all your life (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

Have question, you may call: 08055059656 or email: akpogena@yahoo.comStay blessed.
 

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