Be Mine

Introduction

Valentine’s Day is one of the most commercial holidays in the U.S.A. Last year, it is projected there were 18.9 billion dollars in sales for the holiday (http://www.business2community.com/trends-news/valentines-day-spending-statistics-2015-01153592#oGlX1kkKuOg41shk.97). All you have to do is swing by the grocery store, the jewelry store or the flower shop to see that Valentine’s Day is big business. While we understand what Valentine’s Day is today, what about how it originated?

The exact origin has some sketchy details, but we do know there was a pagan holiday called Lupercalia which was a Roman fertility festival. It was later attempted to be Christianized to get away from the pagan origins. But just who is the fellow we refer to as St. Valentine? There have been several recommendations. One would be the priest who was continuing to marry people even after the emperor Claudius II banned weddings. Claudius thought single men made better soldiers. He sentenced Valentine to death. Another legend has Valentine helping Christians escape prison, and he was killed. Yet a third legend has an imprisoned Valentine sending a note to his young girlfriend saying “from your Valentine.” Whichever Valentine became the inspiration for this day, we know it changed from what it used to be.

Pope Gelasius declared the 14^th day of February as a day to honor the soft-hearted Valentine. It wasn’t until the 1300’s it became associated with love and romance. People thought the middle of February was mating season for birds. In the 1400’s people began exchanging valentine greetings. In the 1900’s cards replaced the written notes. It is estimated that around 1 billion valentine cards are sent (http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day). Regardless of whether you see Valentine’s Day as a big day for your relationship with your significant other, I submit to you this morning there are some principles from this big day that will help you to become a better Christian.

This morning let’s examine the fact that the Lord has sent you a Valentine message that says “be mine,” so let’s apply some principles from God’s Word to show how a day of love toward your sweetheart is not as important as a life of love for the Lord.

Express Your Love

I’m sure we’ve all heard about the husband who wouldn’t say I love you. When his wife asked him why he never tells her he loves her anymore, he replies: “Honey, I said I love you when we got married. I told you if that ever changed, I would let you know.” We men know that wives like to hear I love you, and they like to hear it often.

What about God? Have you ever been like that husband who expressed his love for his wife that one time and that’s it? Have you kept God waiting on an expression of your love for Him? After Moses reminds the Israelites of the Ten Commandments, he tells them to “…love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut. 6:5). Jesus later refers to this as the greatest commandment (Mt. 22:38). If we are supposed to love God this much, don’t you think we ought to tell Him?

We do need to tell Him, but how do we do that? We can pray. As our primary vehicle for communicating to God, we need to utilize this to the fullest. Pray fervently; pray often; pray with reverence and humility. Whatever we do, let’s make sure we communicate to God that we love Him. Though it is not a prayer, there is a Psalm that conveys this sentiment. The Psalmist says: “’I Love Thee, O Lord, my strength.’ The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies” (Ps. 18:1-2).

We can also sing, which is another aspect of our communication with Him. We sing hymns when we gather for worship such as I Love You Lord, I Love the Lord, and Father, I Adore You. In these we are singing to God by praising Him with the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:15). Let’s make sure we remember how important it is to include the expressions of our love for God in song when we gather for worship.

Rod Stewart sang the song Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? When is the last time you told God how much you love Him in prayer and in song?

The Gift Matters

We’ve all seen the commercials from Jared, the Galleria of Jewelry. Much emphasis is put on the man who went to Jared to buy his wife something from that store. I have never felt the need to go to Jared. However, guess what this guy did this year for Valentine’s Day? He went to Jared! Granted, we know deep down it’s the thought that matters and it doesn’t matter what you really get her, right guys?

What about God? Is it just the thought that matters? We know from the Bible there are some things that God expects of us as His children. By way of practical observation: don’t go to the grocery store at the last minute; don’t think you can shop conveniently online for God’s gift; don’t try to get a deal on what you will give to Him.

What does God want from us? I’m reminded of Micah 6:8 which says: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Wrapped up in a nutshell, those are the requirements that God expects of us. We also know it’s a sacrificial life which Paul sums up in Romans 12. Jesus even told His apostles that it is a daily denial of self as we seek to be cross-bearers (Lk. 9:23). We know if we love the Lord, we will keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15). Earlier I mentioned the greatest commandment, but Jesus also elaborated on this by saying we also need to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mk. 12:31).  This is not an exhaustive list, but I think we can see that what we give to God matters. I’m not even talking about our financial gifts to God, but we know that’s important too! We should give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7), liberally (2 Cor. 9:11), according to our ability (2 Cor. 8:3), as we’ve purposed in our hearts (2 Cor. 9:7) and giving ourselves first to the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5).

Let’s give God the gifts He desires from us as we want to please Him (2 Cor. 5:9). The gifts that we give Him do matter. Don’t go to Jared; God has already equipped you with the gifts He wants you to offer.

We Need Reminders

Sometimes you see calendars with certain days marked, highlighted, circled, etc. as reminders. Some men might need help remembering Valentine’s Day. Sometimes it slips up on you, so any extra reminder can rescue you from being in the doghouse with your wife.

What about God? Do you think He saw fit to make sure we have built-in reminders of gifts for Him? You better believe it! Remember after Moses reminds Israel of the Ten Commandments, in Deuteronomy 6 he talks about the importance of keeping God’s Law before the people. These were to be visual reminders (especially the visual reminders: hands, foreheads, doorposts) “…lest you forget the Lord…” (Deut. 6:12). Moses wanted God’s people to remember, so he gave them built-in reminders of these things. Remember when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper? He said “…do this in remembrance of Me” (Lk. 22:19). This is a weekly reminder of what He did for us. That’s important for we do this every first day of the week. Also, Peter said it was important to be reminded of things, so he would “…stir you up by way of reminder” (2 Pet. 1:13).

Conclusion

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day with the one we love, let us remember that God has already sent us the ultimate valentine: He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins (Jn. 3:16). We know how much God loves us, but does God know how much we love Him? We need to express that love. We need to understand that it does matter what we give to God. We need reminders at times so we can love God like we’re supposed to. God says “Be Mine.” If you haven’t obeyed the gospel, the time is now to enter that covenant relationship with God. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37) and confess Him before men (Mt. 10:32). Be convicted of your sins (Acts 2:37) and repent (2 Cor. 6:10). Put on your Lord in baptism washing away your sins (Acts 22:16). God is waiting on you to tell Him, “Be Mine!”