When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery: love is more a decision than an emotion.

Christ-like love applauds good behavior. At the same time, Christ-like love refuses to endorse misbehavior. Jesus loved his apostles, but he wasn’t silent when they were faithless. Jesus loved the people in the temple, but he didn’t sit still when they were hypocritical. Love does whatever is in the best interest of a person. The cheating husband says to his wife, “If you loved me, you’d forget what has happened and let me come home.” That may not be true. Love does what’s in the best interest of a person. Love sets boundaries. Love seeks counsel.

The love of Christ is no sweet sentiment, but rather a heartfelt resolve to do what’s in the best interest of another person. And sometimes that means dying on a cross.

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