The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

Galatians 5:22-23

I like to hear a story of someone doing good for someone else. I like movies with a hero who is doing good for others at his/her own expense. You probably like these things too. We feel good when we do good for others. There is a sense of accomplishment like no other. Why is that? Could it be because God created us to do good? Might He have designed humans to demonstrate His goodness through the lives we live? Paul tells us about this with the first fruit he mentions.

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22–23

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The first fruit of the Spirit is love. The Greek word for love here is "Agape". It is often said that "agape" is Godly love, but that is not a good definition of it. "Agape" love is a love of action. It is more than mere affection or passion. I John 2:15 uses the word "agape" to talk about loving this world. John wrote, "Love (Agape) not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love (agape) the world, the love (agape) of the Father is not in him. Agape is a love that results in action and demonstration of that love. It is real love.

The word "agape" appears 116 times in the New Testament. In Philippians 2:1, it is a love that comforts. In Philippians 2:2, it is a love that brings unity. In II Thessalonians 1:3, it is a love that is demonstrated among the believers. In I Timothy 4:12, it is a love that makes youth honorable and respectable. Philemon 1:7, it is a love that refreshes others. I Peter 4:8, it is a love that covers a multitude of sins. Then of course it is the love described in I Corinthians 13 and the gift from God that is considered "the greatest of these".

When we walk in the Spirit, we will demonstrate love towards others. The more like Christ we are, the greater this love will be demonstrated, not just to those who are lovable, but towards those who are unlovable. The "agape" that Paul is writing about is indeed a "Godly" love and one that we find impossible. It is a love we should pursue through prayer and practice. It is a love that challenges us to love someone who is like a cactus, knowing we are going to get pricked.

Why does God call us to love people like this? I think there are two reasons. First, because that is how He loved us. We were far from lovable when Jesus found us and called us to salvation. Romans 5:10 says that we were "enemies" of God before we were saved. Yet, in love He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Second, it is love like that, the love of God in us and working through us, that changes lives. God just might be using His love through us to change that cactus into a teddy bear.

Father, You did not make us to bottle our love up inside of ourselves and try to hold onto it. You designed us to love like You love, through demonstration in how we live and interact with others. We pray that You give us pure love that comes only from You. Love that does not fail and endures all things. Give us love that changes lives and redeems people to You.