A Sure Pathway To Living An Overcoming Christian Life.
Bible Passages – Matthew 7:15-23; Luke 3:1-9; Galatians 5:16-23; Revelations 1:7b, 11b, 17b; Revelations 21:8
Introduction
The Fruit of the Spirit – Love 2
It is agape, divine love. A strong, ardent, tender, compassionate devotion to the well-being of someone.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
The Ingredients Of Love, Divine Love, The Fruit of the Spirit – Love These form the summary of the life and living of a Man that is a child of God, living in the Spirit and by the Spirit. We can identify fifteen ingredients that make up the love that is of good and call the fruit of the Spirit-love.
1. Suffers Long – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is Patience unending and inexhaustible: It is love that is not seen, passive and within the person. It is this inner suffering long that generates other ingredients of love that are more visible. Love is from the inner man. It is first not visible before it becomes visible.
It is therefore spiritual and of God. Does not hurry into conclusions and actions. Gives room and allowance. Suffers long, that is bears with people, believes, hopes and endure all things in faith, humility and hope of a better outcome and change for good in the other person.
1 Corinthians 13:4,7 It is this love that prays and intercede for others. You cannot really pray for people without love for them, Love never gives up.
2. Love Is Kind – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Kindness is real love in action. It is the totality of what carries the love that is unseen, can be seen and felt. Does not think rashly nor act rashly. It is very consistent and not inconsistent- love today and no love tomorrow, not dependent on anything the other does or does not do.
Love is never insolent. Love cares more for others as it cares for oneself.
3. Love Does Not Envy – 1 Corinthians 13:4
There is no envy at all in loves. Rejoices are the growth, joy, peace, prosperity, good and well being of others. Love is able to do these because love is not pleased at the suffering or ill of any at all.
When they suffer love identifies and shares in their grieve and so loves to rejoice with them too.
4. Love Does Not Vaunt Itself – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love does not make a vain display of one’s own worth or attainments. Love does not brag, nor harass or embarrass the other person.
To vaunt is to proudly call attention to our possessions, our accomplishments, our associations, or our righteousness. … Only God can pronounce us righteous. Love is generous. Love is not envious or jealous.
5. Love Is Never Puffed Up – 1 Corinthians 13:4
To be puffed up is to be showing one’s pride by the way one behaves or holds one’s body. Even in victory or in success love does not celebrate the victory puffed up or proudly. Loved does not blow the ballon nor fill it with air. There is no parade or airs in love. It is humble.
6. Love Does Not Behave Itself Unseemly – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Love is polite, love is gentle, love is at home with all classes of people. Love does not discriminate nor belittle or insult anyone. Love is never rude nor discourteous.
7. Love Does Not Seek Its Own – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Love does not seek its own at the expense or detriment of another person. Love is never selfish nor self centered. Love is not sour or bitter, it seeks the good of other. It does not retaliate nor revenge but forgiving always.
8. Love Is Not Easily Provoked – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Since it is forgiven and does not seek its own and not self centered then love cannot be easily provoked. Never irritated nor resentful. It’s heart is always at peace and ready for the Holy Spirit.
9. Love Does Not Think Evil – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Just like God the heart of love does not have evil thoughts nor evil desire. It is not a wicked heart. It is a heart full of the love and the fear of God.
10. Loves Does Not Rejoice In Iniquity – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Just as sin, iniquity and unrighteousness the heart of God so do they break the heart of one filled with the fruit of the Spirit called love. This make him have a perfect heart towards God and man.
He is the right person to make intercession. His heart hates sin completely. He is strictly true, joyful and just. Never glad when others go wrong or do the wrong thing.
11. Loves Rejoices In Truth – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Always ready to be good to people all the time. Goodness to others give him joy and gladness. Celebrates good things with people.
12. Love Bears All Things – 1 Corinthians 13:7
Not easily tired of the wrong of others. Encourages them rather to be godly and be much better in thoughts, prayers and by actions. Does not abandon them and write off easily.
13. Love Believes All Things – 1 Corinthians 13:7
Does not doubt the grace of God to redeem and change people from bad to good. Believes the redeeming power of Christ to save all. Believes the best for all.
14. Love Hopes All Things – 1 Corinthians 13:7
Love is ever and always hopeful. Never feels defeated but looks out for the intervention of God in all situations.
15. Loves Endures and It Is Enduring – 1 Corinthians 13:7
Love is enduring, bears up, stay with, empathic and does not disappoint. Endures delays, pains, rejection, disappointment and much more.
Examples of Fruit of the Spirit – Love
The relationship between Jacob Rachel – Genesis 29:18-20 | Genesis 29:26-27.
The relationship between David and Jonathan – 1 Samuel 18:1.
The love God has for man demonstrated mightily in the death, resurrection of Jesus and ministry of the Holy Spirit. John 3:16 | John 15:13.
CONCLUSION
The importance and value of love is expressly declared in 1 Cor 13:1-3 very clearly and unambiguous.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
