May
4
2009
2. The Fruit of the Spirit is Love
Author: RickThe Power to Love
• Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is __ __ __ __ …
Last week we began to learn about the Fruit of the Spirit. We learned that the word fruit in this context is another way of saying evidence or by-product of. If someone bears the fruit of the Spirit, that simply means that there are outward evidences that the Holy Spirit is working in their lives.
This week we are going to look at the first fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22, Love. There are several Greek words for Love, in this passage and that of 1 Cor 13, the word Love is translated from the Greek word Agape (God-like love). This is also the word used in 1 John 4:16.
• 1 John 4:16.And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
The Love with which God chose to describe himself is the very love that he wishes to produce in the lives of Christians. This is important because it is at this point that we must realize that the fruit of Love (like all other spiritual fruit), cannot be produced by our own efforts. Love as a fruit of the Spirit is the result of God’s love being shed abroad in our hearts.
• Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of ____________ is shed abroad in our hearts by the ____________ ____________ which is given unto us.
Not one of the Spirit-fruit named here can be bought, earned, secured through human effort…We cannot love as we ought to love, by trying to love. – Oliver B. Greene.
• John 15:4 __________ in me, and I in you. As the branch _____________bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
The power to love like we ought to love is found in the Holy Spirit. Are you struggling with an unloving spirit? John 15:10 says “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” and v11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” By neglecting God’s commandments and by rebelling against the Spirit, we disallow the Holy Spirit from producing Love in our lives, as a result we lose our joy and a bitter spirit is produced in us. Does this describe you?
The Primacy of Love
It is by no mistake that Love is mentioned first in the list of Spiritual Character Qualities in Galatians 5. As we study the New Testament we see very quickly that Love in the Christian life is of utmost importance.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not _______________, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
The word charity in 1 Cor 13, is the word Agape, meaning God-like love. Paul shows the priority of Love, he states that all other gifts, without love are useless.
In Colossians 3 we read a list of great Christian virtues. At the end of this list, Paul again emphasizes our proper priority. • Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on ______________, which is the bond of perfectness.
Literally Paul is saying that love is the uniting factor over all great Christian character qualities, and it is a mark of true Christian maturity (perfectness).
The exercise of spiritual love in the life of the Christian is of such primacy that Jesus called it a new commandment.
• John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye __________ _________ ________________ ; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus went on to say that it was by the evidence of His love in us that others will know we are his disciples. Men within and without the church are in desperate need of witnessing Christ’s love in us. The power of our testimony for Christ lies in the evidence that He has changed our lives. We display this love when we seek the salvation of the unsaved, and when we begin to love the brethren.
The book of 1 John lists several evidences of salvation. One of these great evidences is found in • 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and _____________ _________ _________________, as he gave us commandment.
John continues in verse 24 to state And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
God’s love in our lives is what holds all of our Christian character together. Love is the first and most important of God’s spiritual fruit. Think of ways that you can show God’s love to others today.
The Picture of Love
1 Corinthians 13 has been called The Love Chapter. In this chapter, where the word Agape is translated Charity, we see a list of love’s characteristics. For the remainder of this lesson we will be examining this picture of Love.
• Read through 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Charity S_____________ _________.
God’s love enables us to be patient with others. It is this long suffering love that can forgive seventy times seven, Mat 18:22. Impatience with others is an indication of a lack of love.
Charity ___ __________.
This word means “to show yourself useful”. Love causes us to serve others with sincerity. We are to serve others even when they don’t deserve it, rendering to others what they need rather than what they deserve.
• Luke 6:27-28 But I say unto you which hear, ____________ your ________________, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Charity ____________ not.
Envy is a major problem in our materialistic society. Do you rejoice when others are blessed? Or do you become envious because it was not you that was blessed? This love rejoices when others receive blessings.
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Charity _________________ not itself, is not ______________ ______.
Vaunteth means to brag, and puffed up to be prideful. This love does not rejoice that we have more than others, nor does it claim that we are more than others. Egotism, Pride and Love do not dwell in the same heart. The argumentative and contentious person is one who has more pride than love.
• Proverbs 13:10 Only by ____________ cometh __________________: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Charity doth not _______________________________________.
Unseemly means rude or discourteous. Love is being courteous in the little things. In marriage and other relationships we are to put others first, being thoughtful and courteous.
We will continue this list in the next section. Dwell on these characteristics of love one at a time. Look for situations throughout your day where you can allow God to display these qualities through you.
Charity S_____________ N_____ H_______ __________.
True spiritual love is not selfish. It is less concerned about “my rights”, and more concerned about the good of others. We lost all of our rights when we were buried with Christ at salvation. Our lives now belong to Him. Next time you begin a sentence this way “But I have the right…..”, stop and remember that God’s love does not seek her own.
Charity is not E________________ P_________________.
A Christian who displays the Love of Christ does not have a short temper. He is not reactionary or prone to angry outbursts.
• James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, ___________________________: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Charity T___________________ ______ E____________.
This speaks of the tendency to believe evil reports of others. Love is not cynical or quick to find fault in others. The word translated thinketh is elsewhere translated impute. Love does not impute evil intentions onto the actions of others.
Charity R_________________________________________________.
The gossip is one who rejoices when others do wrong. He can’t wait to tell others what he has heard. Oftentimes we rejoice in the faults of others because it makes us look better than that person. True love sorrows over the sins of others, and rejoices in the truth.
Charity B_________________ all things.
Love is willing to bear the burdens that come with love. Whenever we decide to love another, we expose ourselves to the possibility of rejection and hurt. Love is vulnerable. Many folks have a difficult time loving or expressing love because they fear vulnerability. True love is willing to suffer for love. God gave man a free will out of love, yet He knew that this free will would cause man to eventually reject Him. God’s love for us came at the expense of his own suffering on the cross.
Read 1 Cor 13 at your own pace and meditate on each of these characteristics. Pray that God would continue to develop them in your life, and look for opportunities to yield to the Holy Spirit by displaying these qualities.
