Should
Christians participate in the celebration of St. Valentine's Day?
Most would answer,” Why wouldn't they?” Why not, one would say,
Valentine's Day is a celebration of love. People might say
Valentine's Day is a celebration of love, but what kind of love?
In
the Bible, Jesus says to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
What kind of love should you have for your neighbor? Is it the same
kind of love people share on Valentine's Day? Around Valentine's
week, commercials and advertisements convince people to buy their
product. Such as,"Send a special one a bouquet or a box of
chocolates." If you really think about a person, send them an
unexpected gift.” Do we need to name a day were we have to buy
something for someone. This is not the kind of love Jesus states in
the Bible. Jesus wants us to have Godly love for one another.
There
are many types of love, but only one TRUE love. People share
brotherly love, such as giving to the poor or sending an uplifting
card to senor citizens. There is true love, and unconditional love.
True love is the love a committed husband and wife share. True love
is expressed through commitment or covenant with someone.
Unconditional love is the love God has for us. God's love is shown
through forgiveness, blessings, correction, mercy, and grace. This is
the love Jesus states in the Bible.
Love
expressed on Valentine's Day is a counterfeit love. Competition
partakes in this event. Let's say you take your wife on a picnic, in
you living room, by candlelight. Your friend takes his wife to an
expensive restaurant. The wives might get together to see whose
husband gave the best gift, or took them to the best place. Another
example, let's say children in a school class compete to see who has
the best gift. A child might come with a handmade card. Another might
brings boxes, in the shape of a heart, full of chocolate. The first
child might feel their gift is worthless, compared to others.
Competition takes part in this holiday.
If
you truly love someone the way God loves us, why show off on a
specific day. Express your love everyday. Godly love is the only true
love.