Rom-coms, reality tv, and romance novels often make it seem like love is always easy and effortless. But the truth is, real love is more than a feeling; it’s a commitment, and it isn’t always easy. It’s not just about those warm, fuzzy feelings or perfect moments. True love takes work, commitment, and sometimes tough choices. Whether it’s spouses, family, or friends, love is about having each other’s back and supporting one another through the ups and downs. It’s understanding each other’s flaws and showing up for one another. Yes, love is more than just a feeling—it’s a daily action and choice that builds a strong and lasting relationship.
Songs and movies often depict love as something that just happens to us, like an irresistible force that we either experience or miss out on. When it comes to romance, people often try to define love for themselves, sometimes holding others to unreasonable expectations that have nothing to do with God’s standard for us. They fall as easily in love with someone as they fall out of love with them. We hear phases like, “I couldn’t help falling in love…” or “You can’t help who you fall in love with.” These suggest that love isn’t a choice, but that is not what the Word of God tells us. The reality is that when our understanding of love shifts away from the genuine and steadfast love that God offers us through Christ, feelings can become inconsistent and unpredictable. And this doesn’t reflect the unchanging, reliable love we find in Jesus Christ, the solid rock of our salvation.
When our understanding of love is defined by superficial depictions, it becomes flighty, and we see a lot of this in relationships today. It’s a stark contrast to the love that God offers us through Christ—a love that is steadfast, enduring, and grounded in God’s unchanging nature. The love we receive from Jesus is not subject to the whims of our emotions or the uncertainties of life. It is a deep, abiding commitment that remains constant despite our flaws and failures. The love we receive from Christ is a solid foundation, showing us that true love is not just a feeling, it is an unwavering choice to care and commit.
Love is defined by action
1 John 4:8 (NLT) teaches us, “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” This verse doesn’t just say that God has love or shows love; it proclaims that God is love. This foundational truth reveals that love transcends emotions. It is not simply a fleeting feeling, but it is the nature of God’s character, and it is indeed who He is. His love is the glue that holds everything together, and if we miss this, our lives will not be overflowing with His love in the way that He desires.
God’s love creates, motivates, and makes everything better. He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ into the world, and through the life of Christ, God teaches us to live in and through His love. This is our purpose, to carry God’s love in our hearts and to embody it as robustly and authentically as humanly possible. Through his example, Jesus Christ demonstrated what it means to live a life fully immersed in the love of God. It’s not a stagnant or lackluster existence; it’s a call to action.
In John 15:13 (NLT), Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Through this statement, he sets a clear standard. Real love is about putting others’ needs before our own. This selfless love is a model for us, cementing the truth that real love requires sacrifice. It requires us to prioritize service, compassion, and humility.
Love is a choice
Through the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT), God gives us a detailed description of love’s attributes: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” This passage emphasizes that love is not about how we feel but about how we behave toward others. It involves patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. These are choices that God has instructed us to make every day, regardless of how we might feel in the moment.
God’s love is real love. It is so much more than a passing feeling—it’s a deep, intentional choice that mirrors the very nature of God. As we strive to embody this kind of love, we grow spiritually, and continually become more like Christ. We embrace actions that reflect patience, kindness, and selflessness. This leads to a life of joy and fulfillment where we not only honor God but also enrich our relationships with others. True love, rooted in God’s example, transforms us and those around us, proving that love is indeed more than a feeling—it’s a way of life. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Love Is More Than A Feeling”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.