Love Is a Choice

In review of 1 Corinthians 13:2 this morning, I read "If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing" (NIV).

Love is more important than all the spiritual gifts exercised in the church body. Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, and miracle-working power produce very little without love. Love is what makes my actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone.

Love is not a feeling. Love is a choice. Even when I don’t feel like it, I can choose to do it anyway.

The single most important thing I can do is to love others, Began to live my life by love. Began to run my home on love. It is transforming as when I accepted Christ into my life. It will bring happiness back into my life and my home.”

The difference is to make a choice. It isn’t always the easy choice, but it can change the whole dynamic of life and the way I see myself as God’s child.

Acting in love when I don’t feel like it is actually a greater expression of love than when I do not feel like it. Love is getting up in the middle of the night to help a sick person after you’ve already had a long day and went to bed late. Love is inconveniencing myself for others. Love is being patient with others when they’re irritable. Love is giving a person what they need, not what they deserve.

It’s easier to act my way into a feeling than feel my way into an action. If I act in a loving way, eventually the feelings will follow. That’s important to remember when I'm trying to love others who seem unlovable.

When I love in spite of my feelings, that’s called loving by faith. And it doesn’t just change the other person. It changes me as well, and makes me more like Jesus.

In summary, If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. Love is more important than any spiritual gift. Great faith, acts of dedication and miracle-working produce very little without love. Love is what makes my action and gifts useful. Love is not a feeling, but rather a choice. Even when I don't feel like it, I can choose to  do it anyway. Acting in love when I don't feel like it is actually a greater expression of love than when I do not feel like it. Love is inconveniencing myself, being patient, and giving a person what they need, not what they deserve. It's easier to act my way into a feeling than feel my way into an action. If I act in a loving way, eventually the feelings will follow. Loving in spite of my feelings is called loving by faith. It doesn't just change to another person, but changes me as well, making me more like Jesus.

The bottom line is that showing love to others is the most important thing I can do. Love is what makes my actions and gifts useful. And it’s not a feeling, but rather a choice I make. Loving in spite of how I feel, is called loving by faith. It changes life for others and for myself, and I become more like Jesus.

Father I know that you will give me plenty of chances to show love toward others. I pray that you and the Holy Spirit remind me when these times present themselves so that I can show love. Give me the insight and strength I need to love, regardless of how I feel. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.