Fruit of the Spirit - 1 Love

The fruit of the Spirit is love...

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is… note it is not the fruits of the Spirit.  This is the characteristics of the Spirit.  It is not the root of the Spirit; because, Jesus is the root of the fruit of the Spirit.  To bear the fruit of the Spirit one must abide in Christ.  If you want apples you go to the apple tree.  Jesus is the cornerstone we the branches must abide in Him.  There will be a natural overflow, by abiding in Christ we will bear the fruit of the Spirit.  It includes all the characteristics, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Galatians 5:16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We are called to walk in the Spirit.  We who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh.  There is not in the Spirit and in the flesh at the same time.  Those who belong to Jesus have died to sin once and for all, in the same way Christ did.  We must reckon ourselves to be dead indeed to sin and alive unto God. 

LOVE:

G 26. agape, ag-ah'-pay; from G25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; spec. (plur.) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love

John 15:9  "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

Philemon 1:6  that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

A principle of grace is to acknowledge every good thing which is in you in Christ.  God has put the Spirit in our hearts where by we might cry out Abba Father.  We need to declare all that Christ has done; Christ in me the hope of glory!  This is the way to make the sharing of our faith effective.  It is not what we have done for Christ; it is what Christ has done for us!

1 John 3:1  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.  We are called to stop and consider, meditate on the manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.  He has had a love feast and poured the benefits of the feast upon His children.  What a God that calls us His own.  What love that we should be called the children of God.  This is the Father’s heart toward us!  Awesome He is indeed.

1 John 4:8  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  9  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  10  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God is love; God is agape.  It is a perfect love driven by affection and benevolence.  It is a love that is proactive.  For God so loved the world that He gave…  Verse 10 is so clear, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation, the substitute atoning sacrifice, for our sins.   Man cannot love God or his fellow man with the God affection until there has been a revelation of the love of God for that man.

1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  17  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  19  We love Him because He first loved us.

To know and believe the love God has for us is the beginning of our abundant life.  We have been called to abide in His love.  The enemy of our soul is always busy trying to get us off point.  It amazes me how many believers are not sure of the love the Father has for them.  To know and believe the love of God toward us is to be perfected in love.  Many have not understood and tried to walk outside of divine order by putting the emphasizes on their love toward God.  Don’t dismiss verse 10 …”not that we loved God, but that He loved us”…  This revelation of perfect love empowers us to have no fear but indeed to have boldness on the day of judgment.  Far too many Christian live without the boldness the love of God calls us  to.  There is no fear in love, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  Yes, the fruit of the Spirit is love; we love Him because He first loved us.

1 Corinthians 13:1  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.  8  Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 is the great love chapter.  It is sandwiched in between Paul teaching that the gifts of the Spirit should be in operation in the church.  Greater than the Spiritual gifts being in operation is love in operation in the church.  If we can speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, it is like being the sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. If every Spiritual gift was in operation and faith was so strong that every mountain was removed, without love it is empty and useless.  God’s kind of love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.  Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.  Love never rejoices in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.  Love bears all things, love believes all things, hopes all things, endure all things.  Love never fails.

John 21:14  This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.  15  So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (God love me) Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You (I brotherly love you)." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."  16  He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you (God love me) love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You (I brotherly love you)." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."  17  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (brotherly love Me) Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (brotherly love You) You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

This is an amazing encounter between Peter and Jesus.  Peter had denied Jesus three times just before Jesus was nailed to the cross.  Jesus had called Peter to feed and take care of the lambs that would come to Jesus.  Jesus was busy restoring Peter trying to bring him up to the agape love as opposed to the brother love that Peter could confess.  Peter had blown it and indeed blown it big; however God did not change His mind for the destiny and purpose that He had for Peter.  Instead, Jesus was restoring saying what I have called you to do Peter, do.  Jesus was calling Peter from the brotherly love to the higher agape love; so Jesus is calling us all!

Romans verse by verse lesson 15

The call to those who are strong in grace.

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Romans 15:1  We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.  3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."

We who are strong… After we have come to the revelation of the good news of the gospel it changes the way we live.   One knows they have an understanding of God’s grace when they are able to provide grace to the weak.  God’s divine influence brings us to seek the good of  those around us. … ought to bear with the scruples of the weak.  God calls the actions of the strong to be motivated with the desire to edify those around them. 

Romans 15:4  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  5  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  6  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All of the word of God was written for our learning and encouragement. It is imperative that we take all the word and rightly divide the word of truth.  God calls us to be like-minded toward one another.  Living in grace will bring us to glorify the Father.

Romans 15:7  Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  8  Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,  9  and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name."

What a command, receive one another as Christ received us!  What an awesome promise, Jesus confessing the Father to the Gentiles and sings His name.

Romans 15:10  And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"  11  And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"  12  And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope."

What an awesome redeemer; no wonder why He calls us to rejoice.

Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Father’s heart beats for His children; oh that the children will be filled with all joy and peace and may the children abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:14  Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.  15  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,  16  that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

The good news of the gospel is what makes us the believer acceptable, accomplished by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:17  Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.  18  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient;  19  in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

We have reason to glory in Christ Jesus.  How great the signs and wonders followed as the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached.

Romans 15:20  And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,  21  but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand."  22  For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

Paul’s life was directed to preach Christ where He had not yet been announced.  We have come to a place in this nation we have a generation that has never heard the gospel.

Romans 15:23  But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,  24  whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

I am often awestruck by the heart of love the apostle Paul had for the body of Christ.  Here we see yet another example of it.

Romans 15:25  But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.  26  For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.  27  It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Paul spent his life being poured out as a offering to see men come to Christ and be established by God’s grace.

Romans 15:28  Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.  29  But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

I pray that the church will become a reflection of this truth!  May we come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:30  Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,  31  that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,  32  that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.  33  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

May the peace of God be with you all!

Romans verse by verse lesson 14

Grace is so great it bring us to live in love. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and embrace living in righteousness; however, grace also teaches us how to live in our convictions and live in grace with those whose convictions may differ from ours.

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Romans 14:1  Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.  2  For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

Receiving grace changes the way you live; it changes the way you have relationship with God, spouse, children, church family, extended family, coworkers, neighbors, friends, and enemies alike!  If we have truly received grace we will receive even one who is weak in the faith.  God will often convicts us to do or not to do specific things.  How we handle these convictions is a sure measuring stick of our own maturity.  This is a grace command, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.”

Romans 14:3  Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.  4  Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

In our text the week one is identified as the one who only ate vegetables.  The only eating vegetables considered their self to strong one.  Note it was not because they did or did not eat meat, it was because of the way they looked down on the one who did not follow their conviction.  What a sharp question, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?”  God will indeed make His children stand.

Romans 14:5  One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  6  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

In the new testament church there was controversy over what should or could be eaten and what days should or should not be observed.  Most of the controversy was centered around shall we continue in the law.  We have spent all of Romans to declare that a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  With the question settled, will we offer grace to someone who see it differently than we do?

Romans 14:7  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  8  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  9  For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

From Romans chapter one to the 16^th chapter Paul continues to bring Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the solution and there is no other solution.  Do the convictions you live bring glory to Jesus Christ or are they self glorying?  Grace points us to the heart of Jesus.

Romans 14:10  But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Paul is showing us that grace gets down to where we live.  Judging a brother exposes a heart of contempt.  The enemy of our soul would love us to judge one another; “I don’t like the way he is doing that.”  However, The Holy Spirit wants us to deal with a fellow brother without contempt even if we don’t like the way they are doing something.  To be clear, I am not talking about someone walking in blatant sin and is calling it okay: from such a one we need to turn away. 

Romans 14:11  For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."  12  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

We have been called to view one another after the Spirit of God.  The Father sees us through the blood of Jesus.  The heart of the gospel is here!  It is what one thinks of Jesus Christ and His Lordship that will determine his or her destiny.

Romans 14:13  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

What if our actions are motivated by a love and heart for those around us?  What if we resolve not to put a stumbling block in our brother’s way?  Sometime we can be right technicality but wrong on attitude and it equals being completely wrong.

Romans 14:14  I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  15  Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.  16  Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;  17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The motive is more important than the action.  If you have a liberty and parade that liberty to those you know who would be offended by it, you are not acting in love.  The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; it is not in the traditions we have allowed or disallowed.

Romans 14:18  For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.  19  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

If our pursuit is to show everyone “how right we are” we have missed the mark of grace.  If our pursuit is to make for peace and pursue things that edify we have surrendered to the strength of grace.  Grace is not about us but about Christ in us the hope of glory.

Romans 14:20  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.  21  It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Let your actions be that of working in agreement with the work of God.  Guard the way you live so you will not be an offense or causation of your bother’s stumbling.

Romans 14:22  Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.  23  But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

This is the great principle of grace in regards to convictions. Live by the conviction God has put in your heart.  However purposed in your heart to never be a stumbling block to your brother.  Live by faith it is the life we have been called to.