The Fruit of the Spirit is... LOVE
Love. What does it mean to you?
Is it a feeling used to describe good experiences? Or maybe deep caring or desire for someone? Is it about excitement?
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Something what we can see from this scripture, is that love is not about self, but the other person. According to God, it's less about emotions and more about what you do. It's about sacrifice, which isn't meant to be easy. A sacrifice is to give up something you value for something more important.
Another thing we can see is that love is an action. We must act a certain way if we want to love someone. Not being rude, irritable, resentful, or happy that they did something wrong. We must show kindness and be patient, even when we don't feel like it.
Jesus commands us to love one another, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12. And in Matthew He says, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44.
Love is at the root of all the fruits of the Spirit, and with out love we are nothing. Even faith means nothing if you don't love.
"If I speaking tounges of men and Angel's but have not loved, I am nothing but a noisy going or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and deliver up my body to be burned, but have not loved, I gain nothing" 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
Loving someone and having love in your heart is the ultimate form of selflessness and is one thing that separates us from other people.
Lastly, I would like to read from Luke chapter 6,
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full."
Luke 6:32-34 NIV
As Christian's we are supposed to live a godly life and show everyone through our actions. Even sinners and people of the world are nice to people when they are being treated well. But as Gods people, we should be treating everyone how He has treated us.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Something what we can see from this scripture, is that love is not about self, but the other person. According to God, it's less about emotions and more about what you do. It's about sacrifice, which isn't meant to be easy. A sacrifice is to give up something you value for something more important.
Another thing we can see is that love is an action. We must act a certain way if we want to love someone. Not being rude, irritable, resentful, or happy that they did something wrong. We must show kindness and be patient, even when we don't feel like it.
Why do we have to show love?
Jesus commands us to love one another, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12. And in Matthew He says, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44.
Love is at the root of all the fruits of the Spirit, and with out love we are nothing. Even faith means nothing if you don't love.
"If I speaking tounges of men and Angel's but have not loved, I am nothing but a noisy going or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and deliver up my body to be burned, but have not loved, I gain nothing" 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
Loving someone and having love in your heart is the ultimate form of selflessness and is one thing that separates us from other people.
Lastly, I would like to read from Luke chapter 6,
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full."
Luke 6:32-34 NIV
As Christian's we are supposed to live a godly life and show everyone through our actions. Even sinners and people of the world are nice to people when they are being treated well. But as Gods people, we should be treating everyone how He has treated us.
Questions
1. In my life, has love been a feeling or an action?
2. Do I show true love to people in my life?
3. How can I show more love to everyone around me?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I pray you open my heart so that I many learn to love others as you love me, unconditionally, without hesitation. I pray that I can remember love is an action and that you help me today to show love to everyone I meet.
In your name I pray,
Amen
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