As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.— John 15:9–12
How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? As a little girl, I loved receiving candygrams and notes from friends. Then I got older and watched others receive romantic notes, while I just got gifts from my mom. Maybe you’ve wrestled with feelings of disappointment during Valentine’s, too.
The world spews many ideas and theories about love, but what does the Bible have to say? As I meditated on John 15, three principles stuck out to me.
1. Remain in Love
Valentine’s Day can prompt us to look outward to find fulfillment. The holiday promises us that a dozen fresh roses or indulgent chocolates will satisfy our deepest desires.
The Bible offers us something sweeter than flowers or candy. We can have a relationship with the source of love. How do we connect to that source? We aren’t told just to spend time with him on Sundays, but to remain in him at every moment, even when we feel unloved and lonely.
Just like a branch abides in the vine, so too, we can abide in Christ’s love. We can’t expect to bear loving fruit if we’re disconnected from him.
And God’s love isn’t like it is in the movies—fleeting and fickle. Instead, it’s beautiful agape love: unconditional, even when we don’t deserve it (Rom 8:28).
Will we reciprocate his love?
2. Keep His Commandments
Every once in a while, my son will walk up to me and say, “I wuv you mommy.” It melts my heart to hear his tender little voice declare his devotion. But it also breaks my heart to see him go his own way.
When he follows directions, however, it’s an active demonstration of love. Similarly, when the Lord asks us to do something, we can follow in both word and deed. Are we spending time dwelling on his commandments? Can we agree with the psalmist who delights in God’s law (Psalm 119:47)?
It’s so easy to say, “We love you, Lord,” during a worship service, then turn around and do our own thing. Love is a choice with outward ripple effects. One way we can demonstrate love to him is by investing time in learning and keeping his commands—a decision done not out of obligation, but genuine childlike love. I find the more I remain in his love and keep his commandments, the easier it is to love others.
3. Love Each Other
Christians are not only called to love one another, but love as God has loved us. How did God love us? Unconditionally, with no strings attached. It’s so easy for me to only love people I like, yet God loves all his children equally and completely. No questions asked. Now we have the opportunity to love others as he has.
Jesus’s message to the disciples in John 15 precedes his death on the cross. He knew they would face challenges, but he still gave them this command. Despite the disciples' fear and uncertainty, they still followed. Will we follow too?
Although February 14 may emphasize romantic love, Christians have the privilege of radiating biblical love every day of the year.
As another Valentine’s Day comes and goes, let’s remind ourselves to remain in agape love, keep God’s commandments, and love one another.
