The Fruit of the Spirit: LOVE

As I mentioned in my post The Fruit of the Spirit , as the world around us celebrates PRIDE month, I want us to focus on the Fruit of the Spirit. On Wednesdays and Sundays, I will publish a post on at least one of the fruits that the Apostle Paul mentions in his letter to the Galatians.

First: Is it Fruit or Fruits?

Given the nature of lists, it’s easy to interpret the Apostle Paul’s description in Galatians 5:22-23 as plural. Initially, we understand these characteristics that the Holy Spirit cultivates in us as believers as fruits. But, the Greek word “karpos” that the Apostle Paul uses is a singular term, not a plural one. While it is true that each listed attribute is distinct, they are united as one.

This infers that they are connected, intertwined, and working together.

Once we come to faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit alone through God’s grace cultivates the fruit of the Spirit within each of us.

The Fruit of the Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit.

This work is made possible by the grace of God and initiated through placing our trust in Jesus.

The moment we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in us, forever. It is through the Holy Spirit’s power that we are transformed and molded into Christ’s likeness.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t do this apart from us. We have a role to play in our sanctification just as we did in our salvation.

To receive God’s gift of salvation, we had to step forward and believe.

In order for the Holy Spirit to sanctify us by growing the Fruit of the Spirit dwelling within us, the Apostle Paul says we must keep step with the Spirit.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT)

As believers, we must let the Holy Spirit lead us. We must nail our fleshy desires and sinful natures to Jesus’ cross and leave them there. Good fruit can’t grow in bad soil.

The Fruit of the Spirit: LOVE

Everything begins with love.

I doubt it’s merely coincidence that Paul places it first in the Fruit of the Spirit, especially since all of Scripture is Holy Spirit inspired. Unlike English, where we tend to use one word to describe many different things, the Greek language has specific words for specific expressions of something, like this thing called love. Bear in mind, I’m no Greek scholar. I just know how to use the tools and resources that the Lord provides.

Love is foundational to the message of the Bible. Love embodies the very essence of God’s character and describes His unending desire for relationship with humanity.

The Greek word for love in this particular instance is agape.

Of all the different expressions of love, agape is the highest form of love.

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Some other Greek words used to describe the different kinds of love are:

• eros (romantic love)
• philia (friendship love)
• storge (familial love).

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Agape captures the kind of love God holds for His creation. Agape love is pure, selfless and self-sacrificing.

Agape love is a love so profound and holy that it surpasses all human understanding.

Agape love always seeks the best for others — even enemies —at all costs. We find a beautiful description of agape love in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

Verses 4-7 of 1 Corinthians 13, describe the characteristics of agape love, highlighting the selfless, enduring, and forgiving nature of agape love.

God demonstrated His agape love for us in sacrificing His only Son, Jesus, to rescue us from our sinful selves (John 3:16)

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:16 (NLT)

In his letter, the Apostle John shares the profound truth that God’s nature is inherently loving, and to live in love is to live in God and to have God live in us.

In living out this love, followers of Christ are called to emulate God’s love for us, extending it to others, including our enemies.

To live in this manner is a high calling, challenging us to love not only in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18), reflecting the very character of God in our lives. This is why this is a Fruit of the Spirit and requires the Holy Spirit to cultivate it within us. We can’t do this in and of ourselves.

We need the Holy Spirit!!!

How have you experienced the Holy Spirit working in your life recently?

Praying for us. We are all works in progress.

You are loved.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™