Love Is A Choice

Pastor Matt Chandler made the statement,

“Love says I’ve seen the ugly parts of you, and I’m staying.”

Pastor Chandler explained God’s description of love in First Corinthians chapter 13 in the simplest terms. This powerful chapter reveals the personal cost of sacrifice and obedience in loving another person.

Love is a choice, not just an emotion, and with it comes the cost of a devoted commitment, a covenant we make before God and others to love them well.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor (others) as yourself.”

Love, especially God’s kind of love, develops over time. Hearing someone tell you they love you too quickly is usually emotion, not genuine/mature love.

As we develop relationships, shouldn’t we choose wisely how deep each relationship goes, counting the cost of genuine love and not allowing ourselves to think we can enjoy the benefits and then walk away when it gets hard?

God’s love challenges us to love others the way He loves us, which at times requires hard work to resolve conflict.

Mature love does what is necessary to improve the relationship, including listening to the other person’s reasoning, even if you don’t completely understand or agree, and trying to understand their point of view. It also includes hearing their heart and hurts, admitting wrongs, being open to forgiving without penalty, and working together to move the relationship forward so that God’s plan and purpose for your relationship can be fulfilled.

First Corinthians 13:4-7 says,
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Choosing to go the extra mile and love God’s way, regardless of whether the other person is unable or unwilling to do their part, will ignite God’s reward for your effort/faith.

As we remain faithful in our love walk, God will enable us to work through problems by helping us see the other person as He sees them and reveal solutions that will make things better for all involved.

Afterward, God and the other person will give you the best result for your efforts.

Note: There are certain situations when, after you have done all you can do, you may find it necessary to distance yourself from another person, but when handled the right way, it is also a form of love ❤️

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