As we continue our journey into God’s orchard in Galatians 5:22-23, the first fruit we come to is Love. Love is very characteristic of the Christian life; it is the quality of which Jesus said to His disciples, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35. When thinking about how Christian love operates, consider the example of Jesus Himself. Did He heap unkind criticisms upon us even though we deserved them? Did He defame our character even though we were failing? Did He speak divisive words among us even though we were diverse? No, He came with unconditional, sacrificial love and a heart of redemption for us. Backing up to the previous verse He said “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” John 13:34. Love was not new, it carries over from the Old Testament where it says, “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself” Leviticus 19:18; what was new, I believe, was this plateau of love that goes beyond human rational. While not approving or justifying flaws and faults it condones those who may have them – bears with them – in love, as 1 Peter 4:8 puts it, “…love will cover a multitude of sins”. Albert Barnes explains, “Love to one another shall so cover or hide a great many imperfections in him, that you will not notice them.” Perhaps we can check how much of Holy Spirit we have in us by how much of this kind of love we have! Remember, Christ is the source of this love and when it abounds others will see Him in us!
How to love
By
Rose Hill
Jesus said, I give you a command that’s new,
That you love one another as I have loved you.
By this we know that to Him we belong;
When our love like His, is very strong.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.