Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)= But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Love is a fruit of the Spirit and that fruit is the direct result of abiding in Christ.
John 15:5-8 NIV= “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. You bear fruit when you consistently remain in Christ.
The fruit of the spirit are qualities of our new character and life we now have in Christ. The source of that life is Christ himself the indwelling Savior.
Galatians 2:20 NIV= I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. We die to self then He lives in us.
The fruit of the Spirit is the outcome of the life of unbroken and full communion with Christ. Loss of communion is one of the reasons we fail to manifest spiritual fruit. No amount of Christian work, or even exercising spiritual gifts, can substitute walking with God. Its our daily walk with Christ that produces the fruit of the Spirit. Others will see your fruit before you do.
Many see the fruit of love the wrong way. There is real power in Love and it comes from communion and not crisis
Love is undoubtedly the greatest of all the fruit of the Spirit, all other fruit and gifts flow from love.
What is perfect love? God is love therefore, trying to define perfect love is trying to define the infinite.
spiritual love goes beyond natural love it produces love for your enemies. It causes us to do good to them no matter what.
Christ commands us in Matt 5: 46-47 (NIV) = If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
In our Lord’s life He experienced that type of love when He prayed at Golgotha, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Another example, Stephen who prayed as his enemies stoned him to death, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
One thing we can depend on is Christ’s love never changing.
Christ’s love is sacrificial, greater love has not man than to lay down his life for his friends.
Romans 5:7-8 (NIV)= Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Supreme love makes supreme sacrifice, for those who are unworthy. The good Shepard gave His life for the sheep.
If you know who your enemy is your love walk won’t be disturbed and fruit will grow when you stay connected to the vine.
Natural love tends to break down when it deals with discipline. Whom the Lord loves He chastens in love.
Some day the gifts will pass away but shinning above all will be the greatest of all love.
Repeat after me: I am patient, I am kind, I don’t envy, I don’t boast, I am not proud, I am not rude, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, I keep no record of wrongs, I don’t delight in evil, I rejoice with the truth, I always protect, I always trusts, I always hope, I always persevere I never fail because I am love
