Love

Introduction

Over the summer we are going to look at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Each week we will focus on a different part and how it should be evident in our lives.

The Enemy of Love

So the first scripture we are going to look at is 2 Timothy 1:7:

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Biblical Points

We are not meant to live fearful, but often times fear will grab a hold to us, and will drown out the love in our lives.

Fear is an enemy of love

What is fear? It is a negative feeling that causes many things to happen internally. Fear encourages us to withdraw. Fear can cause anxiety, anxiety then just compounds fear. Fear does make us address dangers (sometimes that are rational and other times irrational).

So from this scripture we see that fear is not a feeling we should be characterized or controlled by. It does not mean we will not face it, but that we should not give it power.

Fear negatively hurts your ability to love (agape).

So how does fear negatively hurt our ability to love?

Fear causes us to withdraw. Love makes us run towards.

Fear is showing a lack of trust. Love shows trust in God.

Fear makes you irrational. Love makes us act rational.

Fear paralyzes. Love is freeing.

Fear is conditional. Love is unconditional.

Our ability to love is also connected to the power God has given us and the self-control.

God gives us the power to live how He has called us to live.

Self-control is putting love into practice.

Application

When fear hits, make it useful. Reflect on what is causing your fear. Is it a real life danger? Is it a spiritual shortcoming? etc.

Showing love takes intentionality.

Tell your fear to an accountability partner.

A Heart of Love Abhors Evil

Our verse for this section is Romans 12:9

Romans 12:9 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Biblical Points

So we are going to focus on three words/phrases. Genuine, hold fast, and abhor. The first two points will be on what it takes to have love that abhors evil.

So first off our love needs to be genuine. What is genuine love (agape)? On this earth we will never be able to fully show genuine love? No, agape can only be showed perfectly by God. As time goes on though our love will grow more and more genuine as our faith grows.

The genuineness of our love grows as we understand God’s word better.

Agape comes from God so as we understanding the source better the greater our love will become.

Secondly we need to hold fast.

Hold fast to Scripture.

If we are to abhor evil and love genuinely we must have a solid grip on the truth not a light grip, or sloppy grip.

Lastly what does abhor mean? Abhor is to regard with disgust and to have hatred. Evil is sin. Sin should disgust you. Sin should be offensive.

We should view sin as disgusting and offensive.

Application

Study and memorize Scripture.

Studying shows you who God is and what sin is.

Loving Your Enemy

For this section we will look at Luke 6:35

Loving Your Enemy

Luke 6:35 ESV

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Biblical Points

We are to despise sin, but not the sinner.

This scripture clearly calls us to love our enemies. We don’t just write people off for the wrong they do, or count them as unlovable or unreachable.

We are called to go out of our way to do acts of kindness for our enemies.

God shows kindness to the ungrateful and evil, and so should we.

Application

Pray for your enemies and the ungrateful.

Do a random act of kindness for your enemy.

How Does the Fruit of Love Display Itself?

Your life is not characterized by fear, but by boldness.

Sin breaks your heart.

You treat all with grace, despite their background.