Love is the first fruit that is mentioned among the many segments of the fruit of the spirit passages. Love is an action and a willful choice that should be demonstrated in our lives when we come in contact with God. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” -1 John 4:8 NIV
A fruit bears the characteristics of its tree. Simply put, we do not normally see a pear tree bearing oranges or an apple tree bearing papayas. So too, if we are connected to the God of love, who is the true vine, we are also expected to reflect His unconditional love which is demonstrated in His character. The love that God shows to humanity transcends all that we can ever imagine or experience.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16 NIV
There’s no greater love shown to mankind than God sending His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. This unmerited favor is a gift from God to us as there’s no good thing that the Lord will withhold from us. Can you imagine? God’s only Son came to this earth where He identified Himself with the needs of humanity – He lived among men where He hungered and thirsted and experienced heartaches. He bore the ultimate sacrifice by dying to save us from sin and today, he is our advocate, brother, and friend. Oh, what a love!
This great love that God has shown to us is the Agape love, which is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It extends beyond mere emotions and there’s nothing that we can do which will prevent God from loving us. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” -1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Are you able to demonstrate this kind of love to others? Sure, you can.
We cannot show this love in our own strength but when we surrender our will to God, He can produce this love in us so that we can extend it to others. Our world desperately needs this kind of love where each of us will love in action by helping those in need, regardless of status, color, creed, or other distinctive attributes. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” -1 John 4:7 NIV
Love triumphs in hatred; it is not seasonal or biased. As you surrender yourself to the Holy Spirit, He will produce His love in your heart, so that you can extend it to others. You cannot bear good fruit without love. God has called each of us to walk in love. I pray that you will allow Jesus to saturate your heart with His love as He says: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” -John 13:35
