Biblical Answer

The Concept of Volitional Love

The concept of volitional love, as described in the passage, emphasizes that love is not solely a feeling, but a choice. According to the Bible, the choice to act lovingly, not the intensity of the feeling, is the test and ultimate proof of love. This means that love is not just an emotional response, but a deliberate decision to prioritize the well-being and interests of another person or God. The passage highlights that love is a choice, and it is not just a matter of how we feel, but what we decide to do in response to our feelings.

The Confrontation of Choice

The passage also emphasizes that love is put to the test when our choices come into conflict with our feelings or interests. When we are faced with a situation where our best interest or the best interest of another person or God comes into conflict, love must make a choice. This is not just a matter of choosing between two options, but also choosing to prioritize love over other considerations. The passage suggests that we have a choice to make, even if it seems like there is no choice left, because not choosing is also a choice. This means that we must decide whether to choose love or not, and this decision has consequences.

The Sovereignty of God and the Nature of Choice

The passage also touches on the sovereignty of God and the nature of choice. It suggests that God guides us by our everyday choices, and if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint. This means that our choices are not entirely our own, but are influenced by God's guidance and sovereignty. However, the passage also emphasizes that our choices are not coerced, but are rather the result of our free will. This means that we have the freedom to choose love, and that this freedom is a fundamental aspect of our nature as finite beings. Ultimately, the passage suggests that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that we must make, and that this choice has consequences that affect not just ourselves, but also our relationships with others and with God.