The Bible Says Love Is a Choice

Current Teaching Series The Seven Greatest Words of Love

The Bible Says Love Is a Choice By Rick Warren — Mar 24, 2017 “That you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV). Today we’ve bought into this myth that love is uncontrollable, that it’s something that just happens to us. In fact, even the language we use implies the uncontrollability of love. We say, “I fell in love,” as if love is some kind of a ditch. It’s like I’m walking along one day and — bam! — I fell in love. I couldn’t help myself.  But I have to tell you the truth: That’s not love. Love doesn’t just happen to you. Love is a choice, and it represents a commitment.  You must choose to love God. He won’t force you to love him (Deuteronomy 30:20). You can thumb your nose at God and go a totally different way. You can destroy your life if you choose to do that. God still won’t force you to love him because he knows love can’t be forced. This same principle is true about your relationships: You can choose to love others, but God won’t force you to love anyone. Even when you do choose to love someone, it doesn’t mean everything will become perfect. It doesn’t even mean that person will accept your love. But you are the only person who can stop you from loving someone else — because love is a choice you make. Talk It Over Is there someone you are having trouble loving right now — someone in your family, a friend, or a neighbor? Who is it? Ask God to help you love that person, if you make the choice to do so. Why do you think God gives us a choice about such big things like whether or not we love others? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Our Gift: The Seven Greatest Words of Love Study Kit Experience hope like never before! Jesus’ final words on the cross were some of the most important ever uttered in human history. He spoke of forgiveness, blessings, assurance, and love. We want to help you embrace the significance of these words with Pastor Rick Warren’s new study kit, 7 Greatest Words of Love. LEARN MORE

Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes seven full length teaching CD's from Pastor Rick's series The Seven Greatest Words of Love. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Message 1: ​The Word of Forgiveness Message 2: The Word of ​Assurance Message 3: The Word of Love Message 4: The Word of Substitution Message 5: The Word of Humanity Message 6: The Word of Victory Message 7: The Word of ​Trust PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life," read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences  |  Unsubscribe