Tomorrow is Valentines Day, a day to celebrate the love we have for those nearest and dearest to us. Flower shops are enjoying their busiest season of the year and chocolate makers have stocked the shelves of stores with heart shaped treats. Card makers have printed millions of sentimental salutations of undying love. It’s a time of year that brings out the romantic in most of us. But how much of it is authentic?
I once heard a story of a man and a woman who were having a conversation about their love for one another and the woman asked her sweetheart if he loved her enough to die for her. The guy thought for a few moments and then looked deep into her eyes and said, “Darling, I think of my love for you as more of an undying love.”
How many of us have that kind of love?
How many men, if they were suddenly struck with a truth virus, would take their spouses into their arms tomorrow and say, “Honey, I truly love you…some of the time but there are some times when I really have a problem with you.”
That kind of authentic admission would really ignite the fire of romance don’t you think?
Maybe not so much!
So if that wouldn’t go over so well with a spouse, why do most people think it will go over any better with God?
Millions of professing Christians say they love God but it isn’t always that evident. Jesus told His disciples that if they loved Him, then they would obey His commandments. Their obedience would be a genuine indication of their love and devotion. I wonder how many professing followers of Jesus, who are quick to profess their love for God, would be as quick in admitting their passionate obedience?
Just one of many indications of love for God, or lack of it, is being handed out in churches this month. A charitable giving receipt is just one small indication of the authenticity of a person’s love for God. It seems pretty clear throughout scripture that a tithe, or 10% of one’s income, is the gift God expects His followers to contribute to their local churches. However statistics tell us that the average “tithe” of the professing Christian is between 2-4% depending on the area in Canada. That figure is only as high as it is because many people give over and above. Obviously we have a lot of churched people who are either bad at math or bad at love.
How much do the majority of professing Christians really love God. How many, if suddenly struck with the truth virus, would have to say, “God I love you…some of the time but when it comes to actually doing what you ask me to do, I have a lot of problems but since we are talking anyway and I know you love me, I have a few things I would like you to do for me.”
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