“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (Eph. 5:25)
Love is a misunderstood word, today. Sadly, it has been redefined by Hollywood and red-carpet celebrities to simply mean something we experience; something we “feel” when we find that “perfect” someone to share our lives with. They portray love as the feeling you should expect to have while you walk off into the sunset, as the credits begin to roll. But is that what love really is? No!
Love is a six-letter word: C-H-O-I-C-E.
Love is not passion, lust, or even romance. Love is more than a nice Instagram photo or the perfect Facebook post. Love is not something you fall into or fall out of; it is a choice you make even when your “feelings” tell you otherwise.
Love is choosing to love one moment at a time; one day at a time. Relationships do not fall apart overnight. They disintegrate in the same way they are built…one choice at a time.
The Bible says that “God is love” (1John 4:8). Therefore, let’s see how GOD defines love.
FIRST—Love is choosing to GIVE.
(John 3:16) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave…” True love is not selfish, it is selfless. Because God loves us, He gave us the best He had to give, His “only begotten Son.”
SECOND—Love is choosing to FORGIVE.
(John 3:17) says, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” True love not only GIVES, it FORGIVES. Relationships fall apart because one or both people refuse to forgive. They cannot let go of an offense or past hurt. But true love forgives.
Today, remember that true love is more than a feeling; it is more than a dozen roses and a box of chocolates. Love is a six-letter word: C-H-O-I-C-E!