The Fruit of the Spirit :- LOVE

The Fruit of the Spirit :- LOVE 

What is 'Love'? 

The Bible says that God is love and that humans crave love from the moment of existence. But the word love describes an emotion with vastly differing degrees of intensity.

Four unique forms of love are found in Scripture. They are communicated through four Greek words (Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape) and are characterized by romantic love, family love, brotherly love, and God's divine love.

To know more about these four kinds of love please refer to the following link:-

https://www.learnreligions.com/types-of-love-in-the-bible-700177

How can we truly love one another without pretence? 

We can only do that with the help of God's own Spirit. First He will teach us to love God with all our heart, mind and soul and He will pour His love into us so that we can love everyone like we love our own selves. 

God IS Love!

The Bible says God is the embodiment of Love. We are called to.love one another as God loves us. We call ourselves, the followers of Christ Jesus.  If so, then should we not be loving God and others as Jesus Himself showed us how to love? Are we deceiving ourselves and others by calling ourselves Christians?

1 John 4:7-12 ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

What is Godly ❤️ love? 

It is:-

To see everyone with the eyes of God and to treat them with God's mercy and compassion in our hearts. God says he wants mercy and justice and not sacrifice. 

Hosea 6:6 ESV

For I desire steadfast love(mercy) and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Godly love  is to love the unlovable; the one who keeps hurting us with his words or actions, the one who falsely accuses us, the one who shuns and ignores us, the one who often misunderstands us, the one who envys us and all that happens in our lives, the one who is rude in mannerisms  and /or words towards us, the one who refuses to forgive us even after we sincerely apologise to them, the one who keeps harbouring past hurts and traumas in his mind, the one who is bitter towards us, the one who is hostile towards us for imaginary reasons & for things we never did and the one who refuses to respond to sincere love shown to him; It is also to love the homeless, the marginalised, the poor, the orphans, the widow, the needy, the lonely, the sick, the drunkard and the drug addict, the murderer, the prostitute and the terrorist and to have a heart to help them and pray for them. (If the love of Christ Jesus does not flow through us to them,  how can they be transformed?)

Oh wow! Is that not a tall order? Is that even possible? How? Continue reading...

Abide in God, to love as He does!

How can we love like God does? We must abide in God to love as He does, then His love will abide in us. We must soak ourselves in the Word of God to know Who God is and only then can we confidently say that we are abiding in Him. Only when we know the heart of God, can we love as He does. Only then can His love be formed and perfected in us.

1 John 4:12-16 ESV

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. [13] By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. [14] And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. [15] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. [16] So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

The Heart of One Who Loves Genuinely. 

The heart of the one who loves like God, will ache for the people who do something wrong or sin. He will stand in the gap to intercede for,  not only his family but also his acquaintances, his neighbourhood, his church and all the churches, his nation and the world. He will never turn away and ignore them but will pray for them and point the right way to them. He will not laugh at, or gloat over their mistakes. He will willingly forgive the ones who wronged or hurt him. His heart will ache for the one who is unable to forgive him and love him back. He will, with compassion, understand that this person has unresolved hurts and bitterness in his heart and will pray for his hurts and bitterness to be healed.

When Misunderstandings Occur.

When a misunderstanding or friction happens between him and his family member or close friend, he will, with God's help, find a way to have an amicable and peaceful relationship with that person. But if that person is just an acquaintance,  he will just forgive and maintain a peaceful demeanour whenever the need arises to meet that person. If the family member or close acquaintance does not respond to him or accept his sincere apology for something he had said or done, and chooses to alienate himself or herself from him, then he will bring the matter before God and surrender the whole situation to the Almighty. But he will continue to love that person and pray for that person. 

There is a Reason for a Family Nucleus.

God placed us in a family nucleus so that we will be united in love and by our love the world will come to know God's sacrificial love. From the beginning of the creation of the man, Satan has come against family unity by causing division. He plants doubts in man's heart and then induces him to blame the other. Division is Satan's strategy against God. We must win back our families from him. The one who truly loves, will desire all to be in heaven with him and therefore will pray for everyone day and night. He will battle for family unity by abiding in Jesus and doing what it takes to bring about unity. He knows that if he does not forgive others, God will not forgive him. He will always want to be in right standing before his Creator. 

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

God's Heart.

God not only forgives us but in His Word, the Bible, He says that once He forgives, He will no longer remember our sins. 

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 Isaiah 43:25 ESV

"I, I AM He Who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Struggles are real but we can overcome.

We are fallen human beings. From the moment Adam disobeyed God and fell from God's grace, humanity has been blaming one another instead of trying to do what is right. It is we, who are struggling to forgive and love as God does. It is we, who are unable to forget the wrongs done to us after we say, "we have forgiven them".  We may say that we need to remember what happened so that it does not happen again. We can and should remember the reason something happened so as to avoid it from happening again. Albeit, we must not purposely keep thinking of all the other actions and behaviour of that person, because then we will be harbouring bitterness in our hearts for life. We can only overcome our struggles when we seek the help of the Holy Spirit. 

The Litmus Test.

The litmus test is this:- when we remember why something happened and the words and behaviour of that person comes to mind, does it sting and hurt us, as it did on the first occasion? If it does hurt and brings back all the ill feelings and bitterness into our hearts and gets us all worked up and miserable again, then, we have not truly forgiven that person. We need to humbly ask God to help us truly forgive till it stings no more. The love of Christ Jesus which is shed abroad in our hearts will blot out all offences, heal our hearts and minds and it will not sting anymore.

We need to take the Initiative.

A normal human being cannot love in all of the above ways. We normally choose whom we want to love and how we want to love them. We marvel at someone who is able to forgive and love his son's murderer. We are amazed by the wife who forgives, loves and accepts back her husband who commits adultery when he repents. Yet, when it comes to us, we seldom go out of our comfort zones to love as God does. Humanly speaking it is impossible. But with God it is possible. We need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and take the initiative to genuinely love others whom by ourselves we cannot forgive or love.

From Normal to being Extraordinary.

We are not called to be just normal or ordinary. We are called to be extraordinary in Christ Jesus.  Therefore, when we love as God does, the earth will seem like heaven. Words spoken from a loving heart will build a person up instead of tearing him down. Jokes made will be truly clean and humorous instead of being lewd or sacarstic. Mistakes will be corrected in a loving firm tone instead of adding unnecessary words and sacarsm, which breaks the person's spirit. 

Godly love is Genuine love.

Genuine love, never takes advantage of a person or situation for selfish reasons and never manipulates others. Love hopes the best for others just as for one's own self. 

Genuine love believes not in untruth but trusts in God and believes that God is in control of every situation. It will know that God is able to turn the hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. It believes that God will work in and through others to change them and help them achieve their full potential in His own time and His own way. Genuine love never trusts one's own heart, but trusts God completely. It does not believe in this world's slogans and sayings but believes in the 'Whole Counsel of God' in His Word, the Bible, and strives to obey it.

Not Me, But Jesus Says This. 

Godly love, will show the other cheek to be slapped when humiliated and will carry the burdens of others for an extra mile. It is the complete opposite of what the world teaches us. 

Matthew 5:39-48 ESV

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. [41] And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [42] Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48] You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Growing into the Image of Christ Jesus. 

To grow into the character of Jesus is to love like Jesus does.  Paul describes this kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 

1. Love is patient

2. Love is kind; 

3. Love does not envy

4. Love does not boast; 

5. Love is not arrogant 

6. Love is not  rude. 

7. Love does not insist on its own way; 

8. Love is not irritable or resentful; 

9. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, 

10. Love rejoices with the truth. 

11. Love bears all things, 

12. Love believes all things, 

13. Love hopes all things, 

14. Love endures all things. 

15. Love never ends. 

Genuine Love encompasses all other virtues. 

Love, is the first fruit or virtue, of the Spirit. We cannot produce it by ourselves, in ourselves. We are just bearers of the ninefold fruit in our souls. It can only be produced by the Spirit of God in us, slowly and steadily. He moulds and shapes us through various trials, problems and trying situations in our lives. It may just take days or even years. Only when we humble ourselves and surrender our wills to God, He will produce His love in us sooner. If it delays, then it is not Him but us, not submitting to His moulding. 

This is what our flesh desires. 👇

Galatians 5:16,19-21 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

How can we then Love as God does?

The answer is to surrender our wills to Him. Total surrender to God and cooperating with the Holy Spirit Who abides in us, is the key, to love as God does. Only then we can abide in God, immerse ourselves in Him and love as He does.

Galatians 5:16-17,22o23 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Love is all encompassing!

Love is the first, of all the other fruit (virtues) and it enfolds all others in itself. Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-control follow Love. 

Notice that we don't say 'fruits' but 'fruit'. It is because all these nine virtues, formed in a person turn him into the image and likeness of God, just as when God created Adam. When Adam disobeyed God, sin entered us human beings and marred God's image in us.

But when we abide in Christ Jesus,  we will love as He does. Then we will also bear the rest of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Then we will be recognised as the bearers of the image of Christ Jesus and we will glorify Him by our lives. 

Mark of a Person Who Genuinely Loves and belongs to Christ.

The person who loves like God,  will be a joyful person at all times. God's peace will abide in him even in the midst of stormy situations because he trusts solely in God. He will be a very patient, forbearing person and kind to all in every way. He will wait upon God for his prayers to be answered. Being patient and forbearing does not mean condoning and tolerating a sinful action by someone. When he sees someone doing something against God,  a sinful action he will be quick to instruct and correct that person firmly yet lovingly and gently, and teach him/her what is right. 

Goodness will flow from him at all times and he will be gentle mannered. He will be faithful to God, his spouse, his family, his employers, his co-workers, friends and faithful to complete the work he has begun. He will be recognised mostly by his humility and self-control. He will put others before himself and not glory in himself nor boast about his achievements but will give God all the praise and glory.  He will also give thanks and credit to those who have helped him along the way. He will measure every word he speaks, because he knows that he has to give God an account for the words he uses. He will not be rude, will not be critical, will not speak ill of others, will not gossip, will not curse but will bless everyone,  will judge correctly by God's standards and not assume. He will practise self-control not only in his speech but also in his thoughts, in everything he eats and does. Yes, he would have crucified his flesh with Christ Jesus on the cross to love as Jesus does.

Galatians 5:24-26 ESV

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Perfect Love casts out all fear!

Do we have the confidence that we can stand before God on 'Judgement Day' without fear, look Him in the eye and say, "I loved as You did!" We can, only if we truly abide in Jesus. Then as we have the Love of God in us, we would have loved as He does. Then we will have the confidence to face God boldly because then we would be as Jesus is, 'Love personified'. We will have no fear on judgement day. 

1 John 4:16-18 ESV

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. [17] By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Then we who loved as He did on earth, while we lived, will go on loving in heaven continually. 

Love never Ends.

That's why the Word of God says, all other gifts like prophesy and speaking in tongues will end but not love. Love will never end because we will continue to love one another in heaven eternally. 

Recap:- Surrendering of our Wills, Humbly to God is the Solution.

It will surely take a lifetime to bear all the nine fruit in our character, but when we surrender our wills to God humbly, it is possible for these virtues to be evident in us, sooner and in God's time. 

Examine our Conscience Daily. 

We human beings are not perfect. That is why we need to examine our conscience daily and repent and seek forgiveness from God and our fellowmen if we have wronged them. We need to humbly correct our ways with God's help. When we repent, He is willing to forgive us without questioning us.

Agape Love.

Volumes can be written about 'Agape Love' which is God's love, but instead let me end by showing you the embodiment of love.  He is Christ Jesus the Saviour of humanity. He suffered and died a cruel death on the cross to save us from sin and eternal hell fire. He gave up His own life for us while we were still sinners. But He rose victoriously on the third day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. When we repent of our sins and believe in Him, He washes away our sins and we will become spiritually white as snow.  He will send the Holy Spirit into our hearts to teach us to love as He does. He has promised that we will live with Him forever even when our bodies die on earth.

Reminder for Me & You.

I will expound on each of the other fruit(virtues) in my forthcoming articles.  Till then, let's continue to seek the Holy Spirit's help, to love God and others as Jesus loves us. This article is a reminder, for me to walk in the love of Christ Jesus every moment of my life, just as it is for you. I am far from perfect and rely completely on God's mercy and grace. Whenever we fail let's be gracious to repent, say sorry, and forgive one another and continue to love as Jesus does.

Are we challenged?

This whole command to love as God does, may seem to be challenging to us who are of flesh and blood. But as we continue to abide in Jesus and know our own weakness, we will humbly seek the help of His Spirit living in us to love as He does. God's Word says that if we say we love God but do not love our 'brother', we are liars.

1 John 4:20-21 ESV

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. [21] And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

All that we have read above in this article may seem unattainable now. But when we ask His Spirit to help us, we have the confidence in Him Who is faithful, that we will be empowered to love as Jesus does. So let us ask Him now.

Let us pray!

Fsther we repent of all the times we have sinned against  You and our fellowmen. We are truly sorry. We repent and we humbly seek Your help to forgive and love and to be a reflection of Jesus in our lives. Come Holy Spirit, come, cleanse us and fill us. We surrender our wills to Father God and resolve to stay rooted in Jesus our Saviour. We humbly surrender to Your moulding and shaping of us into the image of Jesus. We need Your constant reminder and help, to stay surrendered. We need Your help to love everyone with the perfect love of God. We are weak but You Lord are strong.  Breathe Your fresh anointing upon us today. Empower us to think, say and do everything that pleases Abba Father. Let Your perfect love be evident in us. Unite us and all whom You have given us, in Your love ❤️ so that the world will know Jesus through us. Help us glorify the Father through our daily lives. Stay in us, with us and never leave us Holy Spirit. We cannot love as Jesus does, without Your help.Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on us. Revive us now.  We pray this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus. Amen. 🙏🔥🔥🔥

Read:- Ephesians Chapter 4

A good article to read and contemplate:-

 https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/january-web-only/joseph-brothers-relationship-broken-reconciliation-genesis.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=article

God bless us and be gracious to us in our love journey. 🙌

Mary Augustine ✍️🌹

24th January 2023