Mardi Gras, Lent, Valentine's Day, Easter...Ahhh!! What Are Christians to Do? Part 2
Now that it's a number of days past Valentine's Day, I guess it's a little past the time for me to dig in to my objections concerning this widely celebrated non-holy holiday. And I still have yet to complete my discussion on the entire string of events that begins with Mardi Gras and ends with Easter. So let's see where the Lord leads me in part two of this series.
As you've noticed if you've read part one of this series, I object to the idea of Christians celebrating Valentine's Day. My objections to Valentine's Day are for much the same reasons as are my objections to most other religious holidays. First and foremost, it is pagan in nature and God has made it clear from the OT to the new that we are to hate paganism (false religions and made-made traditions of the heathen) and steer clear of it. (Jeremiah 10:8, Deuteronomy 18) But let's just pretend for a moment that it's not a pagan-associated festival. Let's pretend that it really is what the Catholic church wants us to believe it is, a celebration related in some way to a guy named Valentine. (By the way, there was more than one guy with that name who is being honored on this day.) You can research for yourself the explanation that Catholics use as to why they are honoring this guy, there is no real reason to get into it here. But let me just present to you my objections, one by one.
Objection #1: Paganism
Alright, I've already stated this and we're supposed to be pretending, for a moment, that Valentine's Day is not pagan in nature. But this really is my #1 reason for hating the celebration. Please, take the time to research it for yourself. Research both the pagan roots and what God has to say about His people taking part in Paganism; or rather, the ways of the heathen.
Objection #2: I'm not a Catholic and the Bible is clear that only living people are saints, not dead people.
By simply taking part in the day, we are promoting the Catholic false doctrine of "sainthood". This doctrine is categorically anti-Bible and therefore, true Bible-believing Christians should find it distasteful to have anything at all to do with celebrating a dead person commonly refered to as a "saint". This condones not only the day but also the false doctrine and, in so doing, we can be sure that people will not only remain ignorant to the real definition of the word "saint" but they'll also begin to agree with the Catholics that saints can only be good-working dead people who somehow in life, earned the title after death.
Let me be clear; we do not earn the title of saint. It is bestowed upon us, by no act of our own, when we turn to Christ, and receive the Holy Spirit. People will often say something like, "What? Do you think you're some kind of saint or something?" And in answer I would say, "Well, yes. I am some sort of a saint, but not because I'm good. In fact, God tells us that none of us are good, no not one (Romans 3:12). But I'm a saint because God is good, good enough to save me from eternity in Hell. And He's good enough to save you from an eternity in Hell and call you a saint too if you'll only let Him! Praise God!".
Objection #3: The worldly form of love has absolutely zero resemblance to the true form of love found in God's Word.
Valentine's Day lifts up carnal love and turns the concept of love into an empty materialistic display where we must make the retailers happy with our dollars and prove our love to our significant other by spending money or looking for a way to please that person for the day. As if God's love, the real true love, could be measured in dying flowers, witty poems of devotion, a cooked or purchased meal, and chocolate. A couple who has only been together for two weeks will take part in this celebration, and surely they haven't learned how to love one another yet.
Granted, mothers will give their children gifts for Valentine's Day, children will make things for their parents, co-workers will buy lunch for other co-workers, or bring chocolate into the office. I understand it's not necessarily about romantic love, but let's face it. It really is.
I also understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with loving your spouse or significant other and wanting to do something kind for them. But when it's expected, is it really an act of love? Which is better? Your husband sending you flowers on a random day, for no particular reason, when no other person in the office is receiving flowers, or your husband sending you flowers on Valentine's Day when the whole rest of the office is getting them?
I wonder what percentage of spouse abusers celebrate Valentine's Day?
On the other hand, what about God's love? Does He have a particular day of the year where He shows His love for us? Does he only bestow gifts upon His children once a year on a "special occasion"? Is His love shown only in the gifts He gives us? Does a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates even come close to comparing to the sacrificial love that Christ shows towards us?
Aren't we supposed to love as Christ does?
Do we really need a day to show our love, or can we dedicate ourselves to showing our love every single day? How about the next time your husband says something insensitive and inadvertantly hurts your feelings, you show your love by hugging him and telling him how much you love him? Do you think that this act of love might mean more to him than a pre-printed Hallmark card? Isn't this the kind of love God shows us every single day when we wake up without thanking Him for for giving us another day? Or when we go to sleep having never said so much as one word to Him all day long, even though He's been right by our side the entire day.
Bottom line: Valentine's Day is a modern version of a pagan fertility celebration (that was all about fornication, and not at all about actual love). Valentine's Day is for retailers more than signifcant others. Valentine's Day is a forced show of affection. And most of all, Valentine's Day cannot be found anywhere in the Bible. Nowhere. Not in one single place, phrase, chapter, or verse. Does the Bible lift up romantic/carnal love, or does the Bible lift up Godly love? If the latter (and it is the latter), then why have we made such an idol out of a day that honors the former?
In part three, I will cover, in more depth, the problems with the practice of Lent from a Biblical perspective.
If you'd like to read the first and third installment of this series, you may do so here and here.
Do you know, if you were to die today, whether or not you'll go to be with Christ after you die? Are you 100% and completely assured of your salvation? If not, please take the time to read this salvation message today. There is nothing more important than giving your life to Christ and securing your place in eternity. I pray the Holy Spirit leads you to a personal relationship with Christ today, and I pray that you follow with a willing heart wherever the Holy Spirit leads you.
Do you know, if you were to die today, whether or not you'll go to be with Christ after you die? Are you 100% and completely assured of your salvation? If not, please take the time to read this salvation message today. There is nothing more important than giving your life to Christ and securing your place in eternity. I pray the Holy Spirit leads you to a personal relationship with Christ today, and I pray that you follow where the Holy Spirit leads you.
#Easter #Lent #ValentinesDay #MardiGras #JesusChrist #Passover #FeastofUnleavenedBread
