This is the third week we are looking at the fruit of the Holy Spirit called love, which is the first of this fruit listed in Galatians 5:22, and is also a key component in our witness for the Lord Jesus according to John 13:35. The Bible actually says in 1 John 4:8 “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” We can acquire more of His love within us by spending time with Him, just like in the natural life we take on certain characteristics and traits of those we hang around with. This love is not just a ritualistic utterance of “I love you”; rather it is an active love. The Bible says “My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” 1 John 3:18. This love is sacrificial, which we see demonstrated in three mighty men of David in 2 Samuel 3:15-17, and in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself “who gave Himself for us…” Titus 2:14. True love considers the needs, feelings, and desires of the other person above its own. 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a detailed essay of this love, first revealing to us that no matter how many gifts we operate, no matter how many great works we perform, no matter what sacrifice we make in our body, if it is not motivated by love and operated in love it profits us nothing and we are no more than “sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” in the kingdom of God, verses 1-3! Notice how some of the other fruit is actually spawned by love, specifically longsuffering and kindness, 1 Corinthians 13:4, then it goes on to point out that love never calls attention to itself, neither does it “rejoice in injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail” Verse 6 Amplified Bible.
What love is
By Rose Hill
Love is patient and very kind,
When in practice it brings peace of mind.
Love does not rejoice when sin prevails,
Love is so glad when truth assails.
Love suffers wrong and turns the other cheek,
Love endures everything and doesn’t become weak.
Love never fails or comes to an end,
Love you must seek, and it God will send.
Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.