REMEMBER CHASTITY ON VALENTINE'S DAY

Message by Oyelakin Gbolahan Pearl
 
“The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy…” John 10:10

        Valentine’s Day is the greatest special day human being has wittingly ordained for moral misbehaviours. Of course, at the onset, it was not intended to project the immoral tendencies of man. There are varying divergent opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some historian explained that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love plays and activities. From legend, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius who severely persecuted the Church. Claudius then had him jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine’s devotion to love to God and Christian beliefs.

        Whichever perspective or historical backdrop one adopts, the crux of the matter is Valentine’s Day in today’s world view suggest the Celebration and Expression of Love to the one you cherish most on earth.

There are several honourable ways to celebrate and express love as such that morality is contained. Unfortunately today, people have turned it to a day of defilement. Over the years, we have seen how the depravity of human beings subjected this day to bringing a life-long pain and emotional damage to people’s door steps. Many people’s hopes and aspirations have been lost, dreams and visions short-circuited, and destinies traded away all in the name of expressing love. For some, it is a day they will innocently open up their flood gate for the love-thief to either lawfully or illicitly burgle them.

        Express your love in a personal and godly way/manner as such that neither you nor your (intended) spouse is hurt and avoid future scars. More so, you should honour the Lord by upholding chastity. CHASTITY is sexual purity. Those who are chaste are morally clean in their thoughts, words, and actions.

        God has given us a blue print of how to express our love for one another. Let’s consider the LOVE DIARY: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking…it does not delight in evil (does not hurt self or others) but always rejoices in truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres…: 1 Corinthians 13. More importantly, God is love. This suggest to us that, whatever God will not do or that will not glorify Him you should not do in expressing love to someone. Whatever God will not approve desist from it. God is holy and pure. So, our expression of love should be in the context of holiness and purity. Hebrews 12:14-16.

        Ladies listen attentively, there are many guys out there that the devil has reduced to a thief like himself yet clothe in innocent regalia. Don’t allow anyone to rob you of your God-given gifts, talents and virtues all in the name of love. Abstain from sex and remain chaste. You are priceless and cost far above rubies. Don’t be bought with a diamond ring, teddy bear, Red rose, Sweet Sensation pie or Mr. Biggs cake. Note that, once your virginity is stolen it can never be retrieved. Time will fail me to explicitly exhort you on VIRGINITY. The grace of God is sufficient for you as it teaches us to say NO when we choose to obey Him. Titus 2:11.

        Sex is ordained by God only within the confine of marriage as a consummation of love. Any sexual activity (including foreplays - kissing, necking, smooching, etc, and other emotional activities resulting in sex) outside marriage becomes a grievous sin to God. Hebrews 13:4. This implies that sex is only an acceptable expression of love for married couples. For unmarried couples, sex is a no-go-area.

        There is this popular notion that is prevalent among the love folks, that for you to keep your intended partner you should have sex with him and Valentine’s Day is the best day to express your undying love for him in this way. So, if he ask for sex don’t deny him, just oblige. You cannot keep what you don’t have. Many have committed sexual sins under the disguise in the name of this fallacy. This is a strong deception, a very big lie. You can imagine how many lives and relationships have been destroyed as a result of this false consciousness.

As youths who are driven by God-given purpose, God has given us a virtue to keep and as stewards he will ask us how faithfully we tended the garden. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Give honour to whom honour is due. As unmarried youths, abstaining from sex and keeping your virginity is an eternal honour to God as well as your intending spouse whether he or she understands or not. Honour God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

        If Jesus Christ was tempted in every way yet never sinned and He neither defile Himself nor dishonour God; we have no excuse to be defiled and dishonor God. He is our High Priest, He knows your weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15. Today, don’t allow the devil to steal your joy and replace your allegiance to Christ with rebellion.

        Uphold Chastity. May the Lord help you with His grace and mercy as you choose to do the right thing. “Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things…put into practice. And God of peace will be with you. AMEN.” Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV).

--------------Pearl 2012 - Feb.14