Fruit of the Spirit - Love
Gal 5:22-26
There is a story told of a young boy who had a very sick
sister in the hospital. Because of her
sickness, she was going to need a blood transfusion and his blood was a perfect
match. The Doctor asked the young boy
if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. The boy was quiet for a moment, tears welled
up in his eyes and then bravely said yes.
They get him set up and begin the transfusion to his sister. Towards the end he asked the doctor. “how long will it be before I die?” That’s when it hit the doctor that his
hesitation wasn’t about being hurt, he thought he had to die to help his sister
and was willing to do that.
Jn 15:12-13 Jesus says, “ I demand that you love each other
as much as I love you. And here is how
to measure it-the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for
his friends; (TLB)
The Greek word for love in John is the same Greek word found
in Gal. 5. It is a love demonstrated by
action. It is a love that is willing to
die to save someone else.
PRAYER
I. Fruit
of the Spirit
A.
Contrasts
1.
After a list of the works of the flesh. Paul starts a list of the fruit of the
Spirit with Agape love.
2.
He says if we are living by the Spirit we won’t seek to
gratify the desires of the flesh.
3.
That alone is an important teaching for Christians
a)
Too many of us still fight the desire to dabble in the desires
of the flesh.
b)
It’s a powerful war being waged in us and we decide who wins
the battles and the war.
c)
For the Spirit to truly guide us, we need to seek his nature,
not the fleshly nature.
B.
If you look at these 2 lists there is something quite
interesting that I had missed every other time I have read this passage.
1.
It talks about works or acts of the flesh
a)
The idea is that these are individual acts.
b)
They are varied and not necessarily related to each other.
2.
Fruit of the Spirit is singular.
a)
If you live by the Spirit, ALL of these things are a part of
you.
b)
They are intertwined with each other.
II. The Definition of
Love
A.
The Greeks had four words for love
1.
Eros a love of sexual nature.
2.
Philio was a love of close friendships
3.
Storge was the love that families have for each other.
4.
Agape was a love that sought out the best for others.
a)
agape was the word used in Gal 5
b)
It is the only love that can be accomplished without being
based on a emotional reaction.
B.
The perfect illustration of Agape is found in God
1.
He loves us not because we are so lovable, but because he
wants to save sinners.
2.
His love binds us to him because he seeks what is best for US.
3.
As we read in Jn 13 Jesus demonstrated that love in his great
sacrifice.
4.
So if you really want to
know what love is, just look at Jesus Christ.
III.
Love in the Life of the Christian
A.
It is to be the universal motive for all that we do.
1.
1 Cor 16:14 – Do EVERYTHING in love
2.
God has given us liberty as Christians and love keeps us from
becoming selfish in that liberty.
3.
It’s just like our Nation
a)
We have the freedom that most nations do not
b)
But our constitution was set in place to keep us from abusing
those freedoms.
4.
Agape love looks to the needs of others first.
5.
It’s hard to be selfish when you are thinking of others.
B.
The Demonstration of love
1.
towards God
a)
Keep his commandment
b)
love our brethren
c)
That is how God wants us to show our love for him.
2.
Towards our brothers
a)
over and over the Bible tells us to love one another
b)
An aspect of salvation according to Jesus in Matt 24 is
showing love to our fellow man.
c)
Scripture says if we have something against our brother, leave
our sacrifice at the alter and go make things right with him.
d)
If we really love God as we claim we will treat our brothers
and sisters in Christ as best as we can.
3.
Towards the non-Christian
a)
Gal 6:10 says we are to do good to all people.
b)
We are even to do good to those who hate us!
c)
Why?
(1)
Because that is the love that God showed to us.
(2)
We are an extension of his love to man.
IV.
Conclusion
A.
If a person demonstrates the fruit of the spirit, it makes
sense to start with love.
1.
Without love the other parts of the spirit seem unnatural.
2.
It is a reflection of the love God had for each of us.
3.
1 Thess 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow
for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (NIV)