https://odb.org/2025/02/14/wedded-to-love
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Happy and blessed Valentine’s Day to all who are celebrating the day of love as commemorated by our popular culture. The business world, of course, took advantage of the day to monetise it. Useful for young courting couples to prove their love for each other by spending lavishly on each other (more the boy for the girl, though!), hopefully culminating in marriage, which in most jurisdictions is still the legal mode for couples to enjoin their lives, to cohabit, have children and start a family. When I got married, I felt more confident facing the challenges of life with someone I love by my side as the world out there was somewhat scary and unknown when we were just starting out from university.
In the Christian context, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is used very much in weddings, whether forming part of the marriage vows or in the sermon. Those verses there were taught by Paul on what constitutes love and is an excellent foundation for a Christian marriage. The reason is simple. Christian marriage is for life. When we marry, we vow in front of God and men to remain with each other till the day we die or until the Lord returns. It is the basis for us to have children and start a new family unit of our own to contribute to society and to serve God. We are to grow old together, to see our children grow up and one day have children of their own. That is why the Christian marriage vows speak of things like through rich or poor, through sickness and good health. As a couple and family, we go through the peaks and valleys of life together. Two are surely stronger than one, and with the Lord as the head, surely there is nothing we can not overcome!
Thus, love is patient and kind as we should be with another. It does not envy or boast, but we are proud of one another’s achievements. We are not self seeking since we always think of the interests of us as a couple and family. We don’t get easily angered so that our days are not filled with arguments and quarrels. Most importantly, we do not keep records of wrongs as much as the female mind has a very good memory! Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. We try something new, we fail, and we pick ourselves up and try again. We are always there to encourage, cheer, and push each other on. We have full trust in each other. Lastly, but not the least, love never fails. In the end, love will prevail, conquer, and win!
Have a good Valentine’s Day celebration to all who are celebrating!
Ronnie's Thoughts 