Fruit of Love

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

By calling Christian character ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ the apostle Paul was teaching that it is both supernatural in origin (being the Spirit’s fruit) and natural in growth (being the Spirit’s fruit).

John Stott (British Anglican pastor and theologian)

Listen church, I need us to understand this. This is not a self help make yourself better by your efforts. This is not a message of the three keys to become a better person. This is a call to deny yourself pick up your cross and follow Jesus. It is a call to abandon all hope in your works and cling to the risen Lord and Savior who has given us the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who now dwells in us and wants to produce His nature and His character in us. This is only possible for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, who have been born again of the Spirit, who have been crucified with Christ and made alive in Him.

Fruit of Love

To talk about Fruit we must talk about roots because scripture is clear on the fruit of your life being an indicator of the root of your life. So the fruit of the Spirit is the outward manifestation of the inward transformation.

Good tree vs Bad tree

Matthew 7:16–20 NIV

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Bearing Fruit

John 15:1–11 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:1–11 ESV

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

John 15:1–11 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

John 15:1–11 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

John 15:1–11 ESV

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Genuine surrender and time with God will produce God’s nature in you

Biblical Definition of Love

We see this love exemplified in our Lord and Savior Jesus

Romans 5:6–9 NKJV

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

1 Corinthians 13:1–7 NKJV

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 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, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Agape Word Study

Strongs Concordance

Usage: The Greek verb "agapaó" refers to a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It is often used in the New Testament to describe the love of God for humanity and the love that believers are called to have for God and one another. This type of love is characterized by a commitment to the well-being of others, regardless of personal cost or reciprocation.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, various words were used to describe love, including "eros" (romantic love), "philia" (brotherly love), and "storge" (familial love). However, "agapaó" and its noun form "agapē" were relatively rare in classical Greek literature. The New Testament writers adopted and expanded the meaning of "agapaó" to express the unique, divine love revealed in Jesus Christ. This love transcends human emotions and is rooted in the will and character of God.

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 25 agapáō – properly, to prefer, to love; for the believer, preferring to "live through Christ" (1 Jn 4:9,10), i.e. embracing God's will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. 25 (agapáō) preeminently refers to what God prefers as He "is love" (1 Jn 4:8,16). See 26 (agapē).

With the believer, 25 /agapáō ("to love") means actively doing what the Lord prefers, with Him (by His power and direction). True 25 /agapáō ("loving") is always defined by God – a "discriminating affection which involves choice and selection" (WS, 477). 1 Jn 4:8,16,17 for example convey how loving ("preferring," 25 /agapáō) is Christ living His life through the believer.

Why is Love Important

1 John 4:8 NKJV

8b for God is love.

John 13:34–35 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

British Bible Teacher, Donal Gee

The Fruit of the Spirit Chapter 2: The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love

Love is undoubtedly the greatest of all the fruit of the Spirit. The first place given to it in the list of

How to Bear Fruit

Abide with Jesus Jn 15:1-11

Be planted in the Word of God Ps. 1:1-5

Dwell App

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Renew your mind to the truth of the Word (Romans 12:1-2)

Reconcile yourself dead to sin (Romans 6:11)

Live a repentant lifestyle (Romans 1:4b; 2 Corinthians 7:10)

Be planted in church Ps. 92:13-14

Be planted in prayer Mk. 11:17 .

Remember

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”