Love Is A Choice

Scripture:
Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Devotional:

Too often it is easy to combine the sin or sinful lifestyle with the person.  We tend to condemn the person with the sin.  Something that is so awesome and wonderful is that Jesus never does.  He always separated the person from the sin.  He loved the sinners.  Mark 2:17 (NIV), “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”  Time after time He shared His peace, love and forgiveness.  One example is the prostitute they brought before Him.  Others were ready to cast stones at her.  Jesus showed compassion.  

How often are we ready to cast those stones?  How many times do we condemn someone because of their sinful life?  We are no better than they are.  Jesus loves them just as they are.  Why can’t we do the same?  We are supposed to love others as we love ourselves.  It isn’t a game of pick and choose.  In loving someone we do not have to accept their sins.  We just need to accept them.

If we truly love others the way Christ loves them, and us, then we will show them mercy, hospitality, compassion.  We will be slow to strike out.  It is not an easy task, but we can manage through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus will equip us with what we need to love others the way He loves.  One thing to remember is that love is not just another feeling.  It is a willful act that we do.  Love is a choice…