The first fruit of the Spirit named in Galatians 5:22 is love. But as we have already looked at in the previous posts, our human hearts ability to truly love is dismal. Our hearts are often hardened, impenetrable because of our own selfish desires, preoccupation with fulfilling our own need to feel loved and pride. We seek to “be” apart from God. Our heart desperately needs to feel that we are loved because of our own merits. We constantly seek for others to “love us just as we are.” That desperate need to be loved can only be fulfilled in a close relationship to the very essence of love itself-God. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Apart from Him, we merely exist, floundering in our desire to be exalted as God of our own life with no hope of true love.
Jesus Christ, the perfect righteous son of God, God Himself in the flesh came to suffer, die, to bear the penalty of our sins and then to rise from the grave victorious over sin and death for all who would believe and accept this gift of love. Therein, God displayed His perfect love for all who would lay aside their pride filled desire to be “god” and accept His gift of salvation. This He offers to all who would believe. Furthermore, Jesus declared as He spoke to the Father in John 17: 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
God the Father, loved us with the same degree of love as He has for the son? Imagine that for a moment.
Displaying the fruit of the Spirit Love. How?
At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us. The Spirit is there to teach us, guide us, comfort us, confirm us, and to transform us. Yet, so often we rebel against the Spirit. We become embittered as He tills the soil of our heart; questioning God’s love or goodness. After all, if He loved me why must I face such trials? Did He not perfectly love His son? Are we better than He? Indeed, it is God’s love that would not leave me where He found me. “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:28-29). Everything, He is working together to transform us into the image of Christ.
This is an act of His perfect love; because, He knows our ultimate joy depends on this. Momentarily we find this very difficult; but, unless He transforms our heart, we can never truly know perfect peace, joy, and love. He loves us too much to leave us clothed in the filthy rags in which He found us, eating from the garbage cans of counterfeit joys.
But what is our part? How are we to display His Love, the fruit of the Spirit. We can get a clue of this by reading I Chronicles as follows. Because, as you will see we are called to make known His deeds among the people of this world. Since God is love, that is one aspect of His character we need to be displaying.
I Chronicles 16:8-12, 15,23-25, 28-29,34
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth… Be ye mindful always of his covenant …Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness…O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.
Steps to How We Display Our Love for God and Others
- Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name. Unless your heart is humbled, overwhelmed by the Grace you have been given, causing you to call out to Him; then, you will not display His love to others.
- Sing unto Him. Songs of praise from a heart overflowing cannot forget Him as you go about your day.
- Talk of His Wondrous Works. Tell others of what He has done in your life.
- Be mindful of His covenant of love toward you. He will never leave you or forsake you if you have accepted His gift of salvation.
- Shew forth from day to day His Salvation. Don’t be afraid to tell others of His Gospel message of Salvation.
- Declare His Glory among the heather; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.
- Give unto the Lord, Giving to God should be the overflowing of your love and trust in Him.
Let me finish with this quote from St. Augustine:
“He loves thee ( O God) too little who loves anything together with thee which he loves not for thy sake.”
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; Because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Posts to Consider
Perfect in Love Oh How Can it Be?
Is Your Fruit of Love Sweet or Bitter?
How Does God Prepare the Soil for Growth?
What Fruit is the Garden of Your Heart Producing?
How to Discern the Voice of God from Yours?
POEMS
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
Photo by Billy Pasco on Unsplash. I added the inscription.