Choose Love

The last two weeks we have been talking about God’s agape love and how He extends it to the saved and the unsaved. We’ve also talked about how the love of God is poured out on us so that we can pour it out on others.  

Today, we are going to look at exactly what God considers His agape kind of love. This can be found in a very familiar chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. The Amplified version gives the best reading of God’s heart concerning His love that is given to you.  As we read through 1 Corinthians 13 today, say to yourself, “I can do this; this love is already in me!”

So, let’s start with 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. I call this section the “actions of love.” Love is an act that is determined in your heart. The world will tell you that you have to “feel” love to show love, but according to God and His word, love is what you act upon because it has been given to you.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 

I can do this. This love is already in me and because of that, I can do this. I choose to act in love. I choose to be patient and kind, even when I want to pinch their head off.  I choose to act without jealousy when others get blessed. I choose to not be boastful but to be humble in the midst of a crowd that is praising me for something I have done. I choose to rise above my flesh and feelings and endure as love does. I choose the act of love. 

And when you do, the Holy Spirit within you will help you walk it out. 

1 Corinthians 13:5

...(love) is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong). 

Remember what we are saying to ourselves as we read this: “I can do this; this love is already in me. When someone does me wrong; I won’t notice a suffered wrong. I choose to act that way.”

Is it easy? No. Is it something we wait to feel? No. You might feel hurt! Or you may want to say, “But, I deserve my way. I insist on my own rights to be preserved! This is not fair!” Have you ever been in this position? Yes! We all have at some time in life. Maybe this is you every day, but if you are saved, you have an overcomer inside you. The Holy Spirit inside you is saying, “Press into Me and God’s word; and you can do this.” You don’t wait until you feel like you can do it, you make a choice to do it. It may feel like nails on a chalkboard to your flesh; but to your spirit, He will bring forth peace. And if you keep continuing to make a choice to be patient and kind and to not be rude or unmannerly, what was once hard, becomes easier by the power of the Holy Spirit.

-Coach Brim