"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (1 Cor. 13:4-5) .
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away" (Songs of Solomon 8:7)
Today is often regarded as the day to celebrate love. It's generally called Valentine's Day supposedly named after a certain Catholic Priest. My own happiness derives from the fact that love gets a day that it is generally celebrated. Whether the interpretation for love and the application of the concept meet the true definition of what love should be will form the subject of today's study.
People often profess love. Married, singles, children, adults, old people. Love is a general subject. But it is one general subject that has different meanings to different groups. Fortunately, the true definition of love can be found in the pages of the scripture. From the scriptures we see that love is enduring, love is sacrificial, love is a lot of work. "It's not self-seeking" and it keeps no record of wrong. Love cannot survive in an environment where people keep record of offences and wrongs. Solomon says that even many waters cannot quench love... which means love is like fire. When it is burning it consumes every hurt and offense. Rivers cannot wash it away because it is like a strong rock in the middle of the river. Love is immovable, unshakable, undiminishable!
Some people say the true test of love is giving. But I beg to differ because I have learnt from experience that even your enemy can give you something. The truest proof of love is forgiveness. If we must celebrate love today, then we must celebrate forgiveness. We must show forgiveness. We must love one another.
Happy Valentine's Day. I love you.