A young man left our church and sent a hurtful message to me, but I chose to overlook it. Months later, he visited me at the office, pretending all was well. My warm welcome caught him off guard, and he apologized for his previous words. His apology didn’t change anything; I had already decided to love him anyway.
Friend, love is a decision. You’ll always win with love because love never fails. But you need to realize that love isn’t a feeling. Sometimes, you won’t feel like loving people. That’s why you need to decide to love before offences and disappointments come. This will help you walk in love when loving becomes tough.
We need to realize that those who deserve love the least need it most. The greatest proof of love is loving the undeserving (Romans 5:8). God wasn’t looking for us to be perfect before He died for us. He showed His love by not considering our actions. He loved us to action.
As a believer, remind yourself that love is your nature – part of who you are (2 Peter 1:4). It is the nature of God imparted into you at salvation. When you understand this, you’ll live it out. You would stop seeing yourself as unloving and stop confessing the same.
Love is the fruit of the recreated human spirit, meant to be cultivated (Galatians 5:22). It’s already in you; cultivate, grow, and live it. Don’t let others people’s actions make you love less. The beauty of the Christ life is loving when it’s tough (John 13:35). He hurt you, but don’t harbour hatred.
Love wins, even when it seems foolish (1 Corinthians 13:8). Love brings sinners to repentance, makes prodigals return home, and melts hardened hearts (Luke 15:20). Leverage God’s grace and Spirit to love, regardless (Romans 5:5). Love is a decision.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria