Living a Life of Love

Mike Criswell

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"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

In the last newsletter, we looked briefly at the topic of love and we pointed out how too many Christians get caught up in arguing about “how” the Spirit indwells the believer. It’s an interesting discussion for sure. But the more pressing issue is not how the Spirit indwells us, but rather how WE indwell the Spirit! Do we daily walk in the presence of the Spirit? Do we manifest the fruit of the Spirit? Does our spiritual “man” live according to the guidance the Spirit’s word?

It’s a sobering thing to think about. Every day we literally are in the presence of God! We are in the company of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we will literally or subjectively feel the Lord’s presence. But since we walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7), we can be assured that the He is right there with us. What a wonderful promise.

In his little list, Paul first mentions “love.” Now it seems clear to me that just as Paul isn’t exhaustive in the previous list of evil characteristics (he adds the word “such like” which shows the list is not exhaustive), so here we understand there are more fruits of the Spirit than what he mentions. But Paul begins with “love.”

Love seems to be a favorite theme of Paul. In 1 Corinthians 13, the entire chapter is a beautiful ode to Love. Many things can be said about this wonderful quality.

1. Love is action. Agape love is more than an emotion. It is alive and epitomizes “faith with works.” On the cross Jesus put love into action. See John 3:16,
   

2. Love is sacrificial. It is willing to go through hardship for the sake of others. Jesus died in pain on the cross out of love.
   

3. Love does not consider wrongs suffered. On the cross Jesus put love into action when he said, “Father Forgive Them.” Jesus “loved” those that crucified him, and it resulted in him forgiving his tormenters. You can’t profess love for your fellow man if you’re not willing to forgive unconditionally. Love IS forgiveness! Love let’s go of personal harm and literally turns it over to God the Father.
   

4. Love is long suffering – Jesus was patient on the cross. As we sometimes sing, he could have called 10,000 angels, but he didn’t. Instead, he forgave the evil men who murdered him and turned it over to the Father who STILL suffers long with the human race (2 Peter 3:9).

Just like all spiritual fruits, we cultivate them by doing. They are “actions” that are borne on the beautiful branches of love. We must love without being loved in return. We must be thankful for our fellow man, without receiving a gift from them. We must be patient while others are impatient with us. And we must forgive even while others despitefully use us and persecute us. Why? Because of love! Love doesn’t need a “reason” to be given. No! It is a gift from God to us that we freely pass on! It is a gift WE control. Let us never be stingy.