Walk In Love: A Saint Valentine Lesson.

Welcome to The REALLY Real Deal and our Sunday Message for February 12, 2023. This week’s message is related to Valentine’s Day: Walking In Love, based on Ephesians Chapter 5.

We also celebrate the birthdate of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Many consider Saint Valentine’s Day as a time to celebrate romantic love (eros). However, it is actually a celebration of Godly Love (Agape).

Here’s a little history lesson on what this holiday is truly about.

The Christian physician, Priest Valentine, was martyred 1,753 years ago, on February 14, 270 AD, for refusing to renounce his Christian faith and salute the pagan gods of Roman Emperor Claudius II. Rather than buckle under pressure, Valentine invited Claudius to accept Jesus Christ.

This invitation angered Claudius so much that he had him beaten, stoned, and beheaded. 

Valentine’s jailer, named Astarius, was so impressed with him that he asked him to teach his young daughter. She was blind, so St. Valentine read to her daily as she visited him in jail.

Claudius was building up the army and outlawed marriage. Valentine persisted.

He was in then placed in jail for his refusal to stop performing secret marriage ceremonies.

He paid with his life for his double refusal.

The letter to the young girl was “agape love,” not romantic love (eros).

He signed it: “Your Valentine.”

Please watch part two of this program as I share a bit about two great Republican pioneers and champions of freedom: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.