A Thought for Valentines Day

A Thought for Valentines Day
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails.” 
         1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
Today is Valentines day. The day we here in North America celebrate love. But just what is love? It can’t really be quantified in terms of a mathematical notation. It can’t be seen or heard. Then what is love?
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians wrote what has to be the most eloquent and most accurate description of love ever written,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails." 
All too many people say they love but and a “but”. They make their love conditional what the recipient of that love does.
Jesus when replying to a question from the Sadducee's and Pharisees about what was the most important law said,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                   Matthew 22:37-40.
Earlier in Matthew Jesus says,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 
                                                                          Matthew 5:43-48
To love is the highest ideal of Christianity. As a result we cannot put any restrictions on it.
Be it God, our spouse, our family members, friends, or even our enemies Jesus calls us to love them unconditionally.
The Apostle Paul tells us,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 
              Romans 12:18.
Paul wrote those words because he knew that unless we live at peace with our fellow man the gospel cannot be preached effectively.
In order to live at peace with our fellow man we must first and foremost love all those around us and,
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails." 
Think about it.