For Valentine's Day, love is the answer

Today is Valentine’s Day, but I have a question for you that’s not “Will you be my valentine?”

Rather, it’s “What do Valentine’s Day, Cupid and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre have in common?”

The answer is love, even for the massacre.

The massacre was based in the love of money, leading to all kinds of evil that pierces with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Ecclesiastes 5:10). It took place during Prohibition when, to satisfy love of money, many took advantage of people’s inappropriate love for alcohol. Those slain that day were riddled with bullets that pierced them, likely causing pain and grief.

So, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was a matter of misplaced love regarding money and alcohol instead of God, and anytime we don’t have love the appropriate love for God, lack of love for our fellow humans also exists (1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 6:19-24; 22:34-40; Luke 10:25-37; 1 John 3:16-18).

Neither money or alcohol are evil in and of themselves, but God intends them to be used properly (I Timothy 5:23; 4:1-4; Ephesians 4:28). The fact is, when we view and use our money and other resources wisely in God’s eyes, he rewards us with greater opportunities (1 Timothy 6:17-19; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15).

Looking out for others is love for God and others, as demonstrated by Valentinus of Rome, for whom the holiday is named. Valentinus comforted the afflicted and, in so doing, was appropriately looking unto his own interests in salvation because we’re to love everyone as ourselves even to the point of laying down our lives for them (Philippians 2:1-9; thank you American veterans, police, and firefighters).

When we humble ourselves to serve others, we will be most exalted by God (Romans 12:9-16; Matthew 20:20-26; John 13:1-17; 1 Peter 4:7-11; 5:5-6). Valentine cards are based in the tradition that one of Valentinus’ miracles was healing his jailer’s blind daughter and sending her a note right before his execution, signing it, “Your Valentine.”

Some suggest this meant he loved her with a third kind of love, represented by Cupid (Eros), that draws two people together into a potentially intimate relationship. This love is also widely misused today and doesn’t show the love for another God intended it to reflect through monogamous marriage (Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5). It’s merely fulfillment of self-seeking pleasure without commitment at the expense of others as well as oneself (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Jude 1:16; 1 Corinthians 6:16-18).

It’s evident the world has forgotten the true meaning and basis of love, which is God (1 John 4:8-21; 5:1-3). The way to learn about true love is to learn about God and how to love him (John 14:15-21; Galatians 3:26-28; 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14).

Have you obeyed God’s unburdensome command for baptism, which is how we’re to ask him to be our true Valentine (Romans 10:13; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21-22, which appropriately translated says baptism is the appeal to God for a clean conscience)?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].