Fruit of the Spirit
“love”
Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . ".
As Christians, our lives should be characterized by these 9 fruits of the Spirit. A Spirit filled life will result in Spirit filled living. A life lived by the flesh results in the opposite.
Do you notice the progression in these fruits? First is “love”. Love is a natural outflow of what Jesus said was the most important commandment –
Matthew 22:36-39 (NIV)
36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
You have a right relationship with God when He is loved above all other things or people in your life and you are living in obedience to his will and commands.
Jesus said in John 14:15, “ 15"If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
When we are living in obedience to Him then the natural outflow of this will be an unconditional love for others.
John 13:35 “35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If we are carrying resentment, anger, hard feelings, and other feelings similar to this, then the relationship we have with God is lacking. We are lacking the very first fruit of the Spirit that is the foundation by which all the other fruits will flow from . . . love. Now our life is one that exhibits anger at others, turmoil, resentment, and bitterness. The Bible not only tells us that we will be known by our love, but that we are to have a “love for the brethren (brothers & sisters in Christ)”.
It doesn’t mean we have to always agree with them, but it does mean that our relationship with others is a direct reflection of our relationship with God. And, we cannot pick and choose who we are going to love and not love! It is unconditional!
I could go on and on about the kind of love we are to have, but you get the point. So . . . What should we do to move beyond this area and gain victory in our lives?
The Bible says in Matthew 5:22-24 (NLT), “22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
We are to be reconciled to God by being reconciled to the brother or sister we have something against! As long as we hold on to our anger, resentment, or bitterness we are being held captive in the enemy’s trap. We have allowed him access into an area of our lives that should be controlled by the Spirit and not the flesh.
First ask God to forgive you and cleanse you of the lack of love, resentment, anger, and bitterness that is in your heart. When you truly are reconciled to God you will not have a problem being reconciled with others! You will desire to have things cleared up between you and the other person.
That’s the second thing . . . go to that individual and clear it up. Apologize and ask for forgiveness for your part in the matter. Even if they don’t accept or receive you, you’ve done your part before God. He sees the intentions of your heart and will honor and bless you for it. Once you have forgiven others who have hurt you it denies the devil access to that area of your life and you will be free! And real freedom brings . . . . joy! See the progression!? That’s what we’ll talk about next time. . . . .
Pastor Dave Robertson
