The Fruits Of The Spirit - Love

nless God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are in our lives, the fruit of the Spirit will be absent. Christians are to be divinely controlled (Phil.4:8). But this is not to say that we are directly controlled! If we are not divinely controlled, we are out of control (II Tim.3:16-17). Paul's letter to the Roman brethren expresses the manner by which God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit operate in the life of the Christian. The Christian is one who is now free from the sentence of death by baptism (Rom.6:3-4), and is not now "walking (living) after the flesh" (principles of the world), but walks "after the Spirit" (His revealed teaching). Paul calls this revealed teaching "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom.8:2). Thus we can clearly understand the remaining references to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives in Romans 8, by the fact that the Word delivered by the Holy Spirit is the manner by which we are guided, led, and comforted.

The Fruit Of Love

The revelation of the Holy Spirit declares that Christians are to love as God loved, with sincere truthful care, concern, and interest (Rom.12:9; I John.3:18). Our love is to be directed toward God, Christ's church, and lost men. Without the New Testament's teaching we would not be able to produce this fruit.

The beloved writer John, in I John 4, states that "love is of God" and "God is love" (v.7-8). Christians are also taught the extent of God's love in the giving of His only begotten Son (v.9; John.3:16). Love brought salvation to the world. This declaration teaches us that it is our duty to perform, being like God in love, and the fact the love will be produced in our lives when we believe in and follow God (v.10-11). We are assured in our actions, that "God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us" because of the Holy Spirit's teaching (v.12-13). Our love for one another is the result, or fruit, of our knowledge of God (v.7). Love is superior to spiritual gifts (I Cor.13:l3).

Badge Of Discplieship

In recording the Lord's words, the Holy Spirit informs us that love is the badge of discipleship (John.13:34-35; 14:15). Love will be exercised in our lives as we follow God and Christ (I Cor.13). We are to be known by this fruit being produced in our lives (Matt.7:16). As our examples of how love is practiced and produced in our lives, Jesus and the apostles personify love! "Blessed Be The Tie That Binds Our Hearts In Christian Love.."

GaryColley
172 Lakeview Dr.
McMinnville, TN 37110