Love

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" Galations 5:22,23

Love. Love is what brings all the fruit of the Spirit to life. We seek all these other things because of love. We seek to be kind to others because we love them. We learn to have patience because we love. We learn to have faith because we love our God and we want to draw closer to him. Without love, the rest of these are lacking unto themselves.

" 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3

"Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation." Psalm 85:7

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44

"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Matthew 22:39

Love is a characteristic of God. It is because of his love for us, that he sent his son to die for our sins. It is because of his love that we now have the opportunity of eternal life. God doesn't just love us and the people we worship with on Sunday- he loves all people. He loves our unsaved neighbors and the people in the next community. He loves ALL people. Yet so many times we have difficulties finding love for even one person. It is helpful to remember how much God loved us, how can we not love the person on the street with Jesus as our ultimate example. Jesus loved everyone while he was here on earth. He loved everyone, despite their status or station in life. He did his best to try and share God's love with everyone he came in contact with. Everyone! Jesus is the perfect example, and God is the perfect source of love. With God's love, we can love everyone.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13