But the fruit of the Spirit is love… Galatians 5:22 (NASB)
When thinking about things of faith and religion, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of what not to do. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not take God’s name in vain.
Yes, the Bible has many commands on what not to do, but there are also commands on what to do. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists nine traits of maturing Christians. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Look at the wording; it’s singular. “Fruit,” not “fruits,” and “is,” not “are.” That is, disciples growing toward spiritual maturity are to have all nine, like a bunch of grapes, not just a few of their favorites or ones that are easier to achieve.
To put it another way, it doesn’t make sense for someone to say “I want lots of joy, but I’m just not into patience.”
Of the nine, note that love comes first. I Corinthians 13, also authored by Paul, likewise states love is the highest virtue.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (v. 1-3).
In other words, I may be a gifted orator, brilliant sage, or generous philanthropist, but if I don’t have love, it’s all empty.
Paul continues with a definition of love that is often included at weddings, one we should read slowly and carefully: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (v. 4-7).
According to the Bible, “love” is not a squishy emotion, carnal desire, or fleeting feeling. It’s an action.
“A bell is not a bell ‘til you ring it. A song is not a song ‘til you sing it. Love in your heart isn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ‘til you give it away.” – Oscar Hammerstein II
Take the next step. Be kind to an unkind person. They probably need it the most.
S.D.G./S.G.D.