"Is it love ... or guilt? No matter why shoppers head out to buy Valentine's Day gifts each February, the fact is that they do buy them. And while chocolatiers, jewelers, and florists get a sizable chunk of that business, there is plenty of spending to go around. In fact, consumers will ring up a staggering $17.02 billion in Valentine's Day sales this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF)." source, AllBusiness.com
On big reason was left out: Lust. You see, Valentine's Day focuses on the physical and the sensual. It's hardly about a mind set towards faithfulness and commitment. It's more about the senses. Lust, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, means, "Strong (esp. uncontrollable) sexual appetite or desire."
Jesus Christ stated: "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matt. 5:28)
James 1:14-15 states the consequences of lust as such: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. "
Love, in its purest form, is selfless; it is a decision to put the interest of the other ahead of your own interest. Christ not only lived this life out, but he lived it completely to its logical conclusion: He died for it. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Indeed, Christ said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Please see His sacrificial love on the Cross as an invitation to a relationship with the One who loves you: Jesus Christ. There is no greater love than His. He says in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." C'mon! What are you waiting for? Tomorrow's not promised. After all, you're worth more than $17.02 billion. To Christ, you are priceless. No one else truly sees your worth that way. Except Jesus.
