Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day

First Written on 14th Feb 2012

Posted  Feb-14th, 2012
Shan Sharma

If Jesus said “Happy Valentines”, what would he mean? Many people use this day as a day to express love or admiration towards another person. Christ did that too for us, however He saw love in a different way than most view these days.

Definition: In the English language we often use the word "Love" to express feelings from a general liking to a deep fondness. However, with Valentine’s Day in picture lets use the Greek language which breaks it down into 3 more specific words to express specific attributes of the word.

Agape (a·ga·pe/əˈgāp/, /äˈgäˌpā/) – is a word used to express a self sacrificing love, agape is a choice, it is not an emotion, it is defined always in action which is according to the plan of God. Example, Jesus spoke about many things but when it came to Love, he died on the cross to express that Love towards us.

Phileo – this word is used to express an affectionate love, it is a brotherly love that is rooted in relating to the other person as a brother.

Eros – The third and most narrow kind of love is Eros, which is related to physical love. It is limited to a physical desire or attraction. This is often and almost always confused with lust, which is a greedy desire to self-gratify, not being rightly related to others, to self, and certainly not rightly related to God. Lust of flesh, lust of eyes and pride of life are all defined precursors to sin.

What if Jesus appeared to you and said “Happy Valentines”, what would He mean?

Jesus and God are one (John1:1, John1:14). To know what Jesus would mean if He said "Happy Valentines", we could look at the word of God and explore the great riches of God’s love towards us. The epitome of His love for us is Agape in action, (John 3:16) For God so loved (Agapeo) the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God said, I love you so much that I will give all it takes to save you from eternal hell, furthermore, I will give all so that you may be reconciled to me, for which your absolute purity is essential. But I know you cannot attain it by yourself, so I will fulfill that for you, by dying on the Cross. Remember, this was God, the world was made by the word and He was the word. It is like a king who is also a doctor who leaves His palace and all the luxuries to visit a sick child out in the country in a small dark hut where there is no food to eat. The child did nothing to deserve that visit, that healing, and the food that the King brought along, in fact the child only knew how to cry. I hope that paints a picture of Agape. God is love (1 John 4:8).


This is the perfection of Love, agape is true love. It is not a respecter of persons, it is not motivated by self or a need to gratify self. The recipient is undeserving, and perhaps doesn't have the capacity to understand much. The recipient has no way to respond except by receiving or rejecting it. God didn’t expect anything of us, but to only Believe (John 3:16). The word here means to have faith in, to trust, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain, believe , assurance, faithful, sure, established, trust, verified, steadfast, continuance.

The question one could ask is, "Why did God do all this and why is it so important to God?” Just as when you pour water in a pan having oil in it, the oil floats and drains away because water and oil cannot mix, in the word of God 2 Corinthians 6:14 mentions “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” Every word written in the Bible, spells out Gods nature and character, He can not contradict Himself. Therefore, because man was in a sinful state, and the result of sin is separation from God (Romans 6:23), Christ came into this world to join us with God again. Hence we stand perfect and holy in front of God through the blood that was shed for us on the cross. This is the meaning of Love as God is, and intended for us. Learn more about Gods love in related articles on this blog. Seek a local assembly which preaches the bible and the finished work, and if you haven't yet done this - Accept Jesus Christ - Just believe. 

A simple prayer for salvation: "Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing good in me. I stand before you knowing that there is nothing hidden from you. I am lost, God save me, Jesus save me. I repent of all I am, and I want to enter into the narrow gate, I want to walk in the way, the truth and the light of life from above. In Jesus name, save me from this body of sin and death. I want to know you God and I want to know what Love is. Save me in Jesus name. Amen."