Reflecting Christ's Love This Valentine's Day
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you … You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
It’s February, so soon you’ll see hearts everywhere in every shopping establishment. It’s wonderful that we take time to celebrate love in our lives. Valentine’s Day gives some folks a vehicle to express feelings they don’t often put into words or actions. Valentine’s Day makes us think of our spouses or romantic partners.
As disciples of Jesus, love should be the primary motivation for everything we do. It’s not a nice idea or suggestion. Jesus commands and teaches us to love on multiple occasions. The challenge many of us face is that we mistake Jesus’ command to love as calling us to be nice and kind. It does, but it does so much more. Remember, Jesus’ command is “love one another as I have loved you.”
How are we doing with that? The first part is remembering how Jesus has loved us. The ways he provides for us, counsels us, helps us, strengthens us, and celebrates with us. Loving when it’s easy is never a problem, but how about when it’s hard? When was the last time you loved someone openly opposing something you were trying to accomplish? There are those who turn their backs on you. Yet, when we look at our lives, it’s not hard to see how we have done these things to Christ, but He continues to show us love. Being kind, doing the right things, and not reciprocating the behavior is the definition of loving like Jesus.
Now, the challenge is to consider how we are doing the same things in the lives of others. It’s hard to imagine meeting this standard with the people who mean the most to us. Of course, Jesus takes it further. He reminds us that we have to love God like this: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 37. Of course, we love God, but very few of us can look at our lives and believe we are obeying and glorifying God with most of our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. Jesus said all. Jesus also moves further by demanding that we love our enemies.
It may seem harsh, but the good news is that God’s love is big enough to see us through as we grow and get better at it. The point is that we have to genuinely want and try to love as He loves. We love because He first loved us, and we do our best to live into the challenge of loving like He loved us.
Here’s a thought: every time you see a heart this Valentine’s Day, silently thank Jesus for how He has loved you and ask Him to help you love more like he does. Then, perform an act of kindness for someone. Hold a door. Say good morning. Call or text a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while. Help your spouse or significant other with a chore. Give more time or money to one of our church missions. In this season where love is on most of our minds, let’s live the love we profess. Help the world see that the love of Christ makes a difference in His disciples and the world. Let them know we are Christians by our love.
Pastor Scott
