"True Symbol of Love"

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16

We are celebrating Valentine's Day today. It is a day when we let others know that we love them through the exchange of cards, candy, flowers and other gifts. This celebration of love is symbolized by hearts and a cherub type figure named Cupid- the Roman god of love.

There are a couple of things I want to say about this day- known as the celebration of love. For the Christian "Valentine's Day", because it is suppose to represent showing expressions of love, should not be just a special occasion on the calendar or a once a year event. We are to walk in love everyday- love toward God and love toward our neighbors.

The next thing I want to say is Cupid a mythological, fictitious god who has nothing to do with love. But there is a real God of love. The Lord God- the only true and living God. And He is not just the God of love, but He is love. He doesn't just posses love, His whole nature and character is one of love.

In the English language the word "love" is considered an abstract word. Abstracts are nouns which are not tangible objects but depict feelings, concepts, etc. So how can you put a picture to an abstract word? How can you visualize a feeling? Today we will exchange heart shaped gifts because we think this is a true picture of what love looks like. True love may start in the heart, but that isn't the true picture of love. The Lord God drew us a true picture of what this abstract word looks like-- it was the cross. The cross is the true symbol of love. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Today you will tell others that you love them, you may exchange gifts, you may receive a box of chocolate or a heart shaped something, but as you do, remember that God has given you a much greater gift of love- the gift of eternal life that came through His Son Jesus Christ. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Have a great day. The true picture of love is not defined by hearts, flowers, candy or jewelry, but it is defined by the cross.

For further reading:
1 John 4:7-12
John 3:17

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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