This weekend we have an opportunity to celebrate love. Historically, Valentine’s Day tends to be a day to acknowledge romantic love, and I am blessed to be spending my 33^rd sweetheart day with my husband Dennis.  However, for many it can be a difficult day if they do not have a specific person in their life to celebrate this time with.  For all of us it is a great time to focus on the meaning of “True Love”.

When we think about the definition of love from a Scripture perspective, most immediately think of the “Love Chapter” found in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…..

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NASU

Wow! If this is the definition of “True Love” then it is a tall order for us mere humans. Thankfully, Christ enables us to love this way.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

1 John 4:7-9 NASU

During this Valentine’s Weekend, I want to encourage you to look for ways to allow the love of God to mold you beyond your human ability to show love. Below are three possible areas you could allow love to grow in your life.

LOVE DICTATES ACTION

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

1 John 3:17-18 NASU

LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…

1 John 4:18 NASU

LOVE IS OBEDIENT

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 5:2-3 NASU

Happy Valentine’s Day!