Blog

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised” (Song of Songs 8:6-7).

Valentine’s Day is hokey. Probably the epitome of a Hallmark holiday.  

Nevertheless, there is certainly nothing inherently wrong with observing special days or special occasions (Rom 14:5).  And genuine love is worth celebrating! Not just today, but every day.

Selfless, sacrificial commitment that always seeks God’s glory and the good of the beloved is hard to come by these days.  Love that mirrors the love of God in Christ is impossible apart from the regenerating and sanctifying Spirit of God and a faith-union with Christ.  We cannot even love God apart from Him setting His special saving love upon us in Christ our Lord (1 John 4:7-12).  

Love is not heart-shaped. It is cruciform.  

This is why husbands are commanded to “love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25).  I cannot say I have lived up to that standard nearly as often or as well as I should have.  But by God’s grace, it has been my aim for over 26 years now with the love of my life, Michele.  And to be honest, she has more often demonstrated Christ-like love to me than I have to her.  At least, it surely feels like it from my perspective.  With each passing year, I see more and more of Jesus in my wife.  Her love reminds me of the greatest love – that of Jesus for His bride, His blood-bought people.  Her love for me, like His, is totally unmerited and exceeds anything I could earn.  The joy she brings me is surpassed only by the joy of Jesus that floods my soul.  

Her love flashes with the very fire of the Lord.  And my love for her does too.  I am jealous for her. She is mine, and I am hers.  Exclusively. In this too, are reminders of the fierce love of God for us in Christ.    

Romance comes and goes. But many waters cannot quench love.     

By all means, buy her roses if you can and if she enjoys that kind of thing. And give sweet Hallmark cards to one another. Enjoy a steak together. Go on a walk. Watch a sunrise or sunset. Embrace. Hug and kiss, dear husbands and wives.  Enjoy what cannot be bought at any price!    

But never forget the love that surpasses them all. Never forget the love that makes all other true love possible. Never forget the everlasting love of God. He has loved the unlovable.  All true love must reflect His love.  All true lovers seek first and foremost to exalt Him.  

Thank You, O my Father, for giving us Your Son, and leaving Your Spirit until the work on earth is done!

And thank You, Lord, for the gift of my wife and her love, which daily reminds me so much of You. 

“Christ died for the ungodly . . . God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6, 8).

by Keith McWhorter