Beautiful flowers, candy in heart shaped boxes, greeting cards, and many other sweet heart items in lieu of Valentine’s Day have already began to line the shelves of almost every type of store.  From Wal-Mart to your favorite grocery store, and even convenient stores, the site of red and pink hearts can be seen from the moment the automated doors open for your entrance.  How does it make you feel?

For some, feelings of excitement may overtake you in expectation of the surprise gift you are expecting from your loved one; for others, the spirit of loneliness may attempt to overcome your heart due not being in an exclusive relationship; and for many, you may say that Valentines Day is a man made day designed to take your money and you are not buying into it.  Whatever your position may be regarding the day, there is one thing that can not be denied; the thought of love crosses your mind in one way or the other. 

So, let me ask you a personal question: “Are you in love?” Think about that for a moment. What thoughts came to mind as you read the question? Who came to mind when you read the question? What emotions did you feel?

To be honest, the question is a little ambiguous.  What I would like for you to consider is, “Are you in the love of Christ?” You may be saying, “What do mean by that?” Well, let me explain.

I Peter 1:22 says, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the bretheren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

The love of Christ is different from any other love that you will ever know in this world.  Peter referred to it as an “unfeigned  (sincere or genuine)” love.  It is a love that can stand ridicule, it’s not pretentious, it easily forgives, it doesn’t hold grudges, it overlooks slander, it covers faults, it yields, amidst other fervent actions, because it’s a love that can only be given to you by the power of the precious Holy Spirit.  It’s such a beautiful love.  It will consume you to the point of being so surrounded by it until no matter where and how you turn, you are “IN” love.

Now, life has a way of dealing some blows that challenges our expectations and emotions.  Therefore, sometimes, we find ourselves taking on some negative characteristics and actions that are totally out of our personal and spiritual character and totally “out of love.” So, the question now becomes, “Are you still in love?”