Be Decisive!

Being decisive means to settle something within the mind and then act upon it. It is to be definite with regard to a choice. To take DECISIVE ACTION is to decide and then do what was decided regardless of what other feelings might enter into the situation. Someone has advised: "Want to improve your relationship? See love as a verb rather than a feeling." [Stephen R. Covey]

Love needs to be understood in the sense of being a DECISIVE ACTION! The choice needs to be made beforehand rather than waiting to see how one feels at the time. When I told my wife I would love her and be true to her for the rest of my life, that decision is still what my actions are based on today. To act on love is to be the DECISIVE ACTION for every day.

Love that is based merely on feelings is going to waver. That kind of love cannot love an enemy. ( Matthew 5:44) Love for an enemy must be a decision to love. Love based merely on feelings falls in and out of love with others. Steadfast love for family, parents, spouse, etc., must be a decision in order for it to remain constant through life's ups and downs. Love for the lost in the world that is based merely on feelings will find itself being repelled by what is seen rather than drawn to help direct to God. Love for the lost chooses to love even the seeming "unlovable", for is that not where we once were in relation to Christ because of our own sins?

Where Paul listed the characteristics of godly, selfless love we read. . .
"(4) LOVE IS patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant (5) or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; (6) it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (7) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV)

Every single one of the words used by Paul to describe the essence of genuine godly love is a verb! He addressed love as being active. It is a choice we make. When we have decided to love we won't have to wonder about how we will feel and therefore how we will respond. We will act in a loving manner because we have already determined we are going to love. May love continually be the foundation for DECISIVE ACTION in our life.

Have a great day RESOLVED TO ALWAYS LOVE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Love