Love Lessons

This past Friday was Valentine’s Day. While not being an official religious holiday, Valentine’s Day can give us the opportunity to consider how Jesus spoke about love. Using some verses from Matthew Chapter 5, we can glean four critically important lessons about how Christians are called to relate to others and to God.

First, Jesus says that love shows no hostility (Matthew 5:21-26). The Jewish Law stated, “You shall not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) Jesus expands that idea to say, “Don’t be angry, don’t call others contemptible names and be united with those around you.” He was calling people to make sincere efforts to heal the rifts between them. True love is willing to go the extra mile to smooth over a variety of hurts.

Second, Jesus says that “love is not predatory.” (Matthew 5:27-30) The Law said, “You shall not commit adultery.” Jesus takes the issue to its root, which is that if you even think about using another person for your own needs, you have violated God’s will. But if you truly love others and think of their needs before your own, you will be acting as God intended.

Our Lord’s third lesson is that love is truthful. (Matthew 5:33-37) The Law (Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 30:2) said, “You shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.” However, Jesus preached that all our words, at all times, should be truthful. If we are to be “sons and daughters of God,” then our lives should reflect the characteristics of God and always be truthful, not just when we are under oath.

Finally, the fourth love lesson is that love is unconditional (Matthew 5:43-48). As followers of God in Christ, we are called to love all people, not just those who love us, but even our enemies. In other words, in all situations treat others as you would like to be treated and you will reflect the unconditional love God has for every person He has created.

If you want life at its best, then these four qualities should define your relationship with God and others: love that shows no hostility, love that is not predatory, love that is truthful and love that is unconditional. Living these qualities is demanding, but these are the ways God has loved us and He has given us His Son Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Prayer

O Thou, who art the light of minds that know Thee, the life of the souls that love Thee, and the strength of the wills that serve Thee; help us to love, even as we are loved, and so follow Jesus on the way that leads to eternal life. In His blessed name we pray. Amen.