Real love is always a choice. It takes great courage to choose love, for there is no guarantee to protect against rejection.
Jesus chooses to love us. He could have stayed in his rightful kingship, but instead he chose to become a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). In so doing, he opened himself to rejection: “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:10-11). He could have chosen power in the devil’s temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), but instead he chose to love sinners and tax collectors, fishermen and zealots, and even pharisees who became secret disciples. He was no slave forced into the cross. He could have called twelve legions of angels, but instead he chose love (Matthew 26:53). And even in his own hour of great need, “when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).
Real love is a choice for us as well.
God does not force us to love him. The One who created galaxies, who holds the seven stars in his right hand will some day stand and every knee shall bow to Him (Philippians 2:9-10, Revelation 15:4).
But not yet.
Patiently, consistently, he offers us choice.
Joshua, at the end of his life challenged God’s people and chose for himself:
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ~ Joshua 24:15
Elijah, before the glorious all-consuming fire at Mount Carmel, challenged God’s people:
“How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. ~ 1 Kings 18:21
The meek and gentle Jesus urges us in the book of Revelation:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. ~ Revelation 3:20
Will you choose to love Him?
Wattsup With Kids 