The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

Love is un-defeatable benevolence and incomparable good will that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does.

Love is a choice that refers to the will rather than emotion.

“This love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” – Dr. D’Ann Johnson

1. Love is a Sign of our Discipleship (John 13:34-35)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

They don’t know us by our gifts, but rather by our love.  When we choose to walk in uncompromising love for one another, the world has to pay attention.

2. Love is the power of our Faith (Galatians 5:6)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

“Working” in this context is where we get our word energy, which is active, efficient, operable, and powerful.  So faith is active, efficient, operable, and powerful through love.

3. Love is the Destroyer of our Fears (1 John 4:17-18)

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

“Whenever fear grips my heart, I know I am not leaning into the fruit of love.” – Dr. D’Ann Johnson

Fear – alarm, fright, and cause for flight
Cast out – violently and intensely thrusts down and throws it off.  

In other words, love takes fear and gives it a beat down.  And where love is present, we don’t have to be afraid.

The Love Test

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a – If we replace love with our name, are we doing everything the Word says?  Did we pass the test?