 Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love…
In our journey through the series "Empowered Living," we delve into what it means to live a Spirit-filled life. This week, we focus on the love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter, often referred to as the "love chapter," provides a picture of the kind of love that God wants for us to express. God’s love in us should be more than just an emotion. It can impact society by reflecting the character of Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23 outlines the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not separate fruits but a singular fruit with multiple aspects (kind of like a cluster of grapes), all of which reflect the character of Jesus. Paul's letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the importance of love amidst the discussion of spiritual gifts. Oftentimes we get excited about the gifts of the Spirit, but God gets excited about the fruit of the Spirit. Dr. Clayton Ford told this story to bring home the point that the fruit of the Spirit are more important than the gifts. He writes, “Years ago, a young woman came through our church parking lot where I was pastoring in Southern California. As we talked, she told me that she was part of a different church which was associated with a Pentecostal denomination. I was interested to hear about her congregation since I very much affirm Pentecostals (actually, I like to think of myself as a "Bapti-costal" church). However, what she said to me illustrates how teaching on this theme of the Holy Spirit can confuse people. “‘My husband is Spirit-filled but I am not,’ she said. ‘I try my best to serve the Lord and I teach Sunday School,’ she continued. ‘But Pastor, I am going through so much pain. My husband is drunk all the time. I've also discovered that he's running around with other women.’ “Looking in her tear-filled eyes I replied, ‘I must have misunderstood you. I thought you said that your husband was Spirit-filled and you're not.’ ‘Yes. That's what I said,’ the woman answered. “‘Can you explain this to me, please? How can you say he's filled with the Holy Spirit if he is doing those things?’ I asked. ‘He speaks in tongues,’ she said, ‘and I do not.’ I thought to myself, ‘You dear, dear sister. The glow of Jesus is so bright on your face, yet you've come to see yourself as a second-class Christian simply because you don't have the gift of tongues.’ “The gift of tongues is one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit and is certainly a wonderful blessing. However it is not given to create a separation in the church between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots.’ While all who believe in Christ receive the Holy Spirit, not all receive that particular spiritual gift. But, on the other hand, everyone who lives a Spirit-filled life demonstrates Christ-like character. This woman had that character!” [1] Ford helpfully provided this story to show how superior the fruit of the Spirit is compared with the gifts. Now, Christians should want both. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:31, "But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way." This "more excellent way" is love, which he elaborates on in chapter 13. When the Holy Spirit fills the believer’s life, the fruit will be apparent and will express the character of Jesus naturally. Notice how natural this love is to be evidenced in the believer’s life in the following verses: John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 1 John 4:7-8 - 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. 8 He that loves not knows not God; for God is love. Ephesians 5:1-2 - 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Romans 5:5 – The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The fruit of love abides inside of each child of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. What does it look like? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 provides a detailed description of love through 15 powerful action words. These characteristics are not just ideals but practical expressions of God's love in our lives. The Amplified Bible expands each phrase as follows: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP) 4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]… 15 POWERFUL ACTION WORDS DESCRIBING LOVE:
God's love has the power to transform lives. It can turn a man into a gentleman and a woman into a lady. These 15 powerful action words emphasize that love is not just a feeling but a series of actions. These characteristics are practical expressions of God's love in our lives. Paul contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. These works, such as adultery and fornication, are often mistaken for love but are distortions. True love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is pure and selfless. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of love. By replacing the word "love" with "Jesus" in 1 Corinthians 13, we see a beautiful portrait of His character. This same love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), enabling us to love others as Jesus loves us. Whether it's showing kindness to a stranger or forgiving someone who has wronged us, every act of love reflects Jesus to the world. This week, challenge yourself to stay close to Jesus and allow His love to flow through you. Reflect on the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13 and ask yourself: - Am I staying close enough to Jesus to allow His love to transform me? - How can I better reflect the characteristics of love in my daily life? - What steps can I take to let go of past hurts and extend forgiveness? By focusing on these questions and striving to embody the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, we can become true reflections of Jesus to a watching world. Let His love be the magnet that draws others to Him through our lives. “Lord, thank You for teaching me about Your love and how I can reflect it in my life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to abide in You and let Your love flow through me to those around me. May I be known by my love and be a light to this world. Lay some soul upon my heart today, and love that soul through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.” [1] Personal story from Dr. Clayton Ford, http://hsrm.org/HolySpiritBookletRevisedSeptember_07.pdf |
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