Love Is a Choice

By Tammy Lacock

In this week’s podcast, Warren Litzman continues detailing Paul’s deepening commitment to Christ and the “excellency of the knowledge” of Christ who now lives in him. He explains that Paul’s commitment was at a level of kenosis, the emptying of himself for Christ. If by “suffering the loss of all things” he will win Christ, then by all means, whoever he thought he was before coming to Christ means nothing. He counted it but dung. Nothing else mattered but knowing Christ, the Christ who lived in him. It’s in this personal relationship with Christ where Paul deepened his commitment, his love affair with Him. Paul tells us throughout these few verses in Philippians 3: 7-13 just what he did in this commitment. By the help of the Holy Spirit, he had a radical mind change, and then the mind of Christ was at his disposal. It is here, in the mind, he says, where we make a choice to “suffer the loss of all things to win Christ,” to know him and the power of His resurrection, to fellowship in His suffering, to die with Him, and to love Him. It’s a choice and he’s made up his mind to love Him and do whatever He needs to do to deepen his love affair with Him. In fact, in verses 12 and 13, Paul tells us that although he’s already perfect in his spirit, where Christ resides, he continues to be made perfect in his soul, in his mind and heart. It’s here where he’s continually growing and deepening his love affair with Christ.

In a world where humanity is now focused on what God can do for us, Paul reminds us to focus on what God is doing within us. He reminds us that we must empty ourselves completely (kenosis), letting go of who we think we are, our old identities, so that we can deeply commit to Christ who now lives in us. Let Christ be our new identity, our new life.

Paul knew that all it takes for salvation is believing in Christ as his Savior. He didn’t have to do anything more. Yet, in his revelation of Christ living in him, he couldn’t help but want to know Him more. He couldn’t help but to commit to Him. He couldn’t help but to love Him. He chose to keep his mind and his heart open to the Holy Spirit whose sole mission is to reveal Christ in us.

Committing to Christ is a choice.

Loving Christ is a choice.

God initiated the love affair by giving His only Son to us … now it’s our turn to accept His gift and to choose to love Him in return.

How far will we go to know Him and to Love Him more?

Will we “suffer the loss of all things”?

Will we fellowship in His sufferings?

Will we empty ourselves?

Will we die and be buried with Him so that we will know Him and the power of His resurrection, His very Life within us?

Will you make that choice?