C - FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT- 3

C – FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – 3

In studying the fruit of the spirit, the first and second greatest commandment is involved for love is the first fruit mentioned in Gal.5:22.  Our love of God is of supreme importance as we love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.  Much difficulty comes in obeying the second greatest commandment—love your neighbor as yourself.  Lk.10:27   Before we leave the subject of love, it is imperative that we take a close look at the “Love Chapter” in 1 Cor.13.

Paul uses the insignificance of some important gifts in comparison to love.  The first gift mentioned was the speaking of tongues.  The Greek word for tongues means languages not previously known to a person.  This would be a tremendous gift, and it happened on the day of Pentecost and also at the conversion of the first Gentile.  But without love—it is just a lot of noise.  The heathen used gongs and cymbals in their worship of false gods.  1 Cor.13:1

The gift of prophecy is closely connected to teaching.  1 Cor.13:2   Even though a person could relay the message of God and teach men accordingly, it would be of no value without love. 

To know is important.  Knowledge comes from study and experience and a person is able to put that knowledge into practical use for the kingdom.  Col.2:2,3   However, knowledge sometimes makes a person “above” common relationships.  1 Cor.8:1   Jesus mentioned faith that could remove mountains.  Matt.17:20   This kind of faith would be deeply spiritual and turn into deeds.  Even that deep faith would be nothing without love.

The next illustration is a practical one.  1 Cor.13:3   Too often the gifts to the needy are done in a spirit of obligation (“have to”) or a spirit of pride (“see what I have done”).  Matt.6:1-4   The humble spirit of joy and love should be present whether we are giving to the church or to the needy.  Matt.25:40    Paul was ready and willing to die for the Lord.  Phil.1:20,21   In the first through the third centuries, many were burned rather than denouncing Christ.  It was done because of love.

The following verses should cause an enormous amount of introspection.  1 Cor.13:4-7   These verses give us one of the most beautiful descriptions of the love that a Christian should have.  May it sink into our hearts.

Love is patient.  How can I achieve patience?  We cannot do it alone.  Col.1:11   We have help from the Holy Spirit.  Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and consequently, we will receive help.  Heb.6:12   A great example of patience is Abraham.  He was given a promise that through his seed all of the world would be blessed.  He had faith and patience that the outcome of God’s promise would be fulfilled.  It was but he did not see it.  He waited many years for a son.  Isaac was born.  If we feel impatience swelling up within us, pray for the Spirit to take over and then give in to the Spirit.

Love is kind.  A very religious person can be very unkind in attitude, speech, and deed.  As a Christian we are told to be kind in many lists of virtues.  Eph.4:31,32   Paul describes the things that would be unkind and then tells us to be kind and compassionate

Love is not jealous.  Envy looks at the good that someone else has and then they want the same.  Another kind of envy wishes the other person did not have it.  Jam.3:14.16   This is not the way of love.  Gal.5:26

Love does not brag and is not arrogant.  Prov.13:10   Pride builds oneself up over another.  Phil.2:3   This would be true humility.

Love is not rude (NIV)  Rudeness has been defined as disrespectful, unmannerly, offensive, even abrasive.  This would not describe love nor would it be an example of a Christian to the world.

Love does not seek its own.  This could include seeking our own way, our own place, our own right.  This would be self-seeking and selfish.  1 Cor.10:24,33   Love cares about others—their feelings, their success, their desires, etc.  We should think less of our rights and more of the things we ought to be doing.

Love is not provoked.  Jam.1:19,20   We need to be the master of our thoughts and feelings.  They can bring us disaster.  Paul gave this admonition to Timothy to preach to others.  1 Tim.2:8   The importance of keeping anger under control is given in Eph.4:26,27   If left to fester, it becomes bitterness and grows.  The devil can use this to our downfall.

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.  Another translation uses the term, store up.  It is much like an accountant notating each wrong in a ledger and keeping track of it all.  Christian love forgives and forgets.  Isn’t this what God does for us?  Keeping track only makes relationships worse and could never be considered as love.  At times there is a tendency to think evil motives of someone when there is none.  Is this what we would want?

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness.  Do we wish for someone to be in Satan’s grip? 

There are times when it seems people are more interested in misfortunate and a fall into sin than they are to celebrate something good.  This would not be Christlike and certainly not Christian love.

The above has mentioned traits that love does not have.  We now come to what love does.  Love rejoices with the truth.  Sometimes it is difficult for a Christian to face the truth.  If we are willing to do so, we will be better for it and grow.  Eph.4:15   A Christian loves the truth of the Word.  3 Jhn.3   The Word deals with us.  Heb.4:12,13

Love bears all things.  Rom.15:1   Love would rather quietly attempt to mend things and not publicly display them or publicly rebuke them.  Love also will endure slights, insults, misunderstandings and any disappointments.  1 Pet.4:8

Love believes all things.  Love is ready to believe the best of all.  A quote:  “Love ennobles even the ignoble by believing the best.”  Love does not put wrong motives into our thinking about them.

Love hopes all things.  Love hopes for the best in others and puts faith in what they can and will do.  Love will help in a situation if at all possible to encourage and strengthen.

Love endures all things.  Endurance does not cause a passive attitude but “deals with it.”

Paul the apostle had a thorn in the flesh.  After praying and it was not removed, he did not just sit down and quit.  He had the fortitude to conquer with God’s grace.

Love never fails.  Rom.12:9,10; 1 Pet.3:8