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February 16, 2023

14th FEBRUARY 2023

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins” – 1 Peter 4:8

Again, the celebration of Love grips the world today. History has it that, precisely on February 14th in A.D 470, Saint Valentine was executed for performing weddings for Roman soldiers against Roman law. Today, we refer to Saint Valentine as the patron Saint of beloveds, and people worldwide celebrate romantic Love on the day of his execution. However, Valentine’s Day is not only for lovers but also for all those we love. It is yet another opportunity to let those we love know how much we love and appreciate them. It is also a time to show we care for the special people around us.

Love ought to go beyond romance; we should express Love the same way God expressed His Love for humanity. Therefore, for romantic Love to be enduring, it must draw strength from agape Love. That means that romantic Love not based on agape Love is SELFISH and fake; Such Love is usually withdrawn if not reciprocated. Romantic Love ought to be tinged with Agape Love to be genuine. Otherwise, it will ruin with time!

Godly Love is Agape Love, and it goes beyond self; it touches others with a positive impact. Godly Love leads to eternal life; we cannot inherit the kingdom of God if we hate our neighbour because hating the neighbour is the same as hating God. But true Love for God and your neighbour must be devoid of selfish motives. In any event, Love is the outer manifestation of inner righteousness; Therefore, Love is pure! Love is the purest flame of fire that burns from the inner core of your soul. It becomes important that we express Love as it is – in its purest form from the heart.

Love is the noblest sacrifice we can offer to God and each other. Love is patient, kind, does not rejoice in evil, does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not rude, not selfish, slow to anger, keeps no record, rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things (REF: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8) This is the kind of Love Christ loves us with. All of these characteristics were evident throughout his childhood, public ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. THAT IS THE KIND OF LOVE WE SHOULD CULTIVATE AND EXPRESS TO EACH OTHER TODAY and always.

Although Agape Love seems difficult to express; we are not alone; Christ gives us the grace and ability to love each other ideally. Love is the greatest of all eternal virtues and, therefore, will never become obsolete or invalid.

The word of God is telling us today to express Agape Love to everyone, including our families, as romantic Love, if not built on agape Love, quickly withers away or is blown off like a candle in the wind. Also, other gifts of the spirit will fade away, and only Agape Love will remain.

As you celebrate Love today, have a reassessment of yourself; how does your daily conduct measure up to Paul’s description of Love in your dealings with others, whether they be lovers, friends or foes? Remember, without Love, our labour means nothing! Are you committed to walking in “The More Excellent Way of Love?”

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I want to love more excellently, starting from today. Lord, help me overcome selfish Love and be ready to make a sacrifice without the expectation of any reward. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Matthew 18:21-22, Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 3:7

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.