In his letter to the churches of the region of Galatia, the apostle Paul gave us a lovely list of those things that, if present in our lives, characterize us as followers of the Lord. In their proper context they are offered in contrast to the works of the flesh, and the apostle wishes for us to examine our lives to see whether we are aligned with the Flesh or the Spirit by determining the fruit we bear. He is presenting two distinct directions which may be taken by a person in this life, indicating that the one who follows the flesh shall without exception come to ruin, while the one who follows the Spirit shall without exception come to rest and glory in the after awhile. Let us consider the first listed fruit of the Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love..." (Galatians 5:22). The Greek word for "love" in this verse is AGAPE, and is a noun. By noticing how the word is elsewhere used in the scriptures, we should be able to better appreciate it's meaning and incorporate it into our lives. This word is used to describe the attitude of God toward His Son: "And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17:26). It was also the word used to indicate the attitude of God toward the whole of humanity: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Again, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). It was this word that was selected to indicate the attitude of God toward those who accepted and obeyed his Son: "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21).
This is the word used to indicate the feeling that is to exist between the faithful followers of the Lord as well: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34). This sentiment is not limited to our feelings about fellow Christians, but is to be extended to all men: "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (I Thessalonians 3:12). It was this word that was used to indicate the nature of God: "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (I John 4:8).
With respect to God, as in all other areas of our lives, love can be known only by the actions it prompts. Many a husband has verbally expressed his affection for his wife while at the same time demonstrated by his infidelity that he did anything but truly love her, and so it is with respect to our love for God. We must do more than say it: we must show it! He showed His love for us: "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that the world might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:9-10).
He plainly commands that we follow the example of demonstrating our love for Him: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (I John 5:3). Whenever we violate His will in preference to our own, despite what we say with our lips, our actions clearly declare that we do not love Him as we ought. If we truly love the world we will act accordingly: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Have you been showing your love for God? For the people of God? For the world in general? If not, do you really love? Think on these things.
Tim Smith 1272 Enon Rd. Webb, AL 36376 (334) 899-8131
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