The Fruit of the Spirit (1/9) – Love

Descipleship

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

– Galatians 5:22-23

34I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

– John 13:34-35
(NASB® © 2020)

 

Mark as Favorite and save for later! (0)
Please login to bookmark Close

The Lord Jesus once said that we are destined to bear fruit. Our aim in life should, therefore, be to bear lasting fruit that is so valuable to God.

Ultimately, bearing fruit means reflecting the characteristics of the Lord Jesus. When He is seen in us, God is glorified.

In this series, we want to reflect on the individual fruits that the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives. And since our Lord is always the perfect role model (cf. Mt 11:29; Jn 13:15; 1 Pet 2:21), we will look directly at incidents from His life where these characteristics become visible.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love …”

This is not about eros (the passionate love between man and woman) or phileo (friendly love), but about agape, which loves even when there is nothing lovable in the other. It is impartial and demands no thanks. It sacrifices itself without asking the cost. In this, it is absolutely selfless and respects the needs of others more than its own. Love takes the banana with the dark spot so that the nice one is available for the person next to me. Love empties the full garbage can, fetches a new roll of toilet paper from the cellar, and gladly takes a detour to bring the sister home.

With this love, we should love our fellow brothers and sisters unconditionally, to such an extent that unbelievers will recognize us as Christians (John 13:35). Incidentally, this love is not an option but a debt (Rom 13:8; 1 John 3:16) – the “normal” thing for a child of God.

But it goes even further: true love is even capable of loving your enemies, those who hate you (Lk 6:27).

Examples of love from the life of the Lord that we can learn from:

  • The Lord loved the rich young man, even though He knew full well that his money and luxury were more important to him (Mk 10:21).
  • The Lord loved Lazarus so sincerely that His deep feelings became visible through His tears (John 11:35, 36).
  • The Lord had contact with unloved “tax collectors and sinners” to reach them. Others, therefore, called him a “glutton and a winebibber” (Mt 11:19).
  • The Lord addressed Judas as a “friend,” even though he had just betrayed Him to His enemies for a ridiculous sum (Mt 26:50).
  • The Lord loved the lost so much that He was moved with compassion for them (Mt 9:36).
  • The Lord prayed for those who had just crucified Him most brutally (Lk 23:34).

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Share this article:

You want to contact us? Ask a question or let us know what you think! 

Write a message here!

Leave a Comment

Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (9/9) – Self-Control/Self-Discipline

In this article, we explore the fruit of self-control, showing how believers can reflect Christ’s character by practicing moderation and discipline in all areas of life, and drawing lessons from how Jesus exemplified self-control in His daily actions and decisions.
Galatians 5:22-23; Proverbs 25:28; 1 Corinthians 9:25
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (8/9) – Gentleness

In this article, we explore the fruit of gentleness, showing how the Holy Spirit shapes believers to reflect Christ’s calm, forgiving, and patient character—even in the face of insults, disappointments, or personal attacks—using Jesus’ life as the ultimate example.
Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 11:29; Luke 23:34
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (7/9) – Faithfulness

We are called to bear lasting fruit—and at the heart of it is faithfulness. Join us as we explore how the Spirit shapes reliability in our lives, modeled perfectly in Jesus’ unwavering devotion to His Father and His people.
Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 25:20-21; 1 Corinthians 4:2
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (6/9) – Goodness

In this article, we explore the fruit of goodness, showing how the Lord Jesus modeled kindness, generosity, and selfless action, and how believers can reflect His character by overcoming evil with good and doing what is right for others.
Galatians 5:22-23
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (5/9) – Kindness

To bear fruit is to reflect Christ Himself—and kindness is one of His most beautiful marks. In every act of compassion, from feeding the hungry to comforting the broken, the Lord showed us how Spirit-worked kindness glorifies God.
Galatians 5:22-23
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (4/9) – Longsuffering

True fruitfulness is seen when the character of Christ is reflected in us. Beginning with longsuffering, we discover how the Lord Himself modeled patient endurance and gentle forbearance—even in the face of betrayal, misunderstanding, and suffering.
Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 2:23; Proverbs 15:18; 19:11
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (3/9) – Peace

True peace isn’t the absence of storms—it’s the calm confidence that everything is in God’s hands. In this reflection on the fruit of the Spirit, we look to Jesus Himself as the perfect example of peace in the midst of turmoil—and how we can walk in that same peace today.
Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:27; Mark 4:37-38
Descipleship

The Fruit of the Spirit (2/9) – Joy

True joy isn’t tied to circumstances—it’s rooted in Christ. In this reflection on the fruit of the Spirit, we see how the Lord Jesus Himself lived a life of deep, enduring joy. And as His followers, we’re called to reflect that same joy—radiant, unshakable, and real.
Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 6:10