Lesson 4: Love Is A Choice Series: The 7 Most Important Decisions In Life Series

The world says “all’s well that ends well.”

But to have a good life, “all’s well that begins well!”

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind . . . and thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. 22:37, 39).

Yesterday: your past decisions about people determine who and what you are in life.

Tomorrow: your future plans about people give you energy.

Today counts: how you treat people today builds on the past and prepares you for the future.

1. Love is a choice that you make:

a. Something in the other person attracts you.

b. Since God has commanded it, you can love.

c. You are like Jesus when you love others.

d. Love is a way of life that you intrinsically need and you must do for your health.

WRONG CHOICES ABOUT LOVE

I only love those who love me. Ego fulfillment.

I only love those who are worthy. Exploitation.

I will pray for God to make me loving. Denial.

I only love those who need me. Co-dependent.

2. Definition of love:

a. A rational and volitional affection having its ground in truth and holiness, and is exercised in free choice. –Lewis S. Chafer

b. That perfection of divine nature by which God is eternally moved to communicate Himself. –Thiessen

c. Love is the attitude that seeks the highest good in the person who is loved. –Charles Ryrie

3. You don’t receive love in this life if you have never made a choice to be a loving person to another.

a. Love is not getting, it is giving to the significant-other. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

b. Only when you give to the significant-other do you get love in return. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (I John 3:16).

c. It is lust when you only want to get.

4. Because love is really a relational-partnership, the more you like a person (appreciate, respect, and admire) the more you will love them, and they will love you.

5. RAM: Repent, Add, Manage:

RAM: making today count.

a.Stop demanding to be first, rather putting others first.

b.Get rid of emotional luggage such as a grudge or revenge.

ADD:

a.Bless others by adding value to their life.

b.Make time for others.

c.Express appreciation and compliments often.

MANAGE:

a.Be friendly to make and keep friends.

b.Do something unexpected for them.

c.Manage your attitudes toward others.

6. Today counts with your family.

a. You have no control over who will be your children/parents, but you must choose to live with them and love them.

b. How you treat family members is how they will treat you.

c. Your relationship to family members will influence your relationship to all others.

7. A loving-relationship with others is nothing more than a collection of choices tied together by time.

8. If you don’t come to terms with your past bad relationships, you may become the parent you swore you would never be.

9. The most important thing a father can do for his children is love their mother.

10. What you get when you choose love: Acceptance from others.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at Jonathan@trbc.org and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.