Fruits of the Spirit: Love

The way we are meant to love one another is clearly laid out in 1 Corinthians 13.

Christianity is simple.  Love other people as Christ has loved us.  If we are living in such a way where Christ's love is not shown through our daily actions, we need to check ourselves.  What our our motives behind the things we do - to glorify ourselves, to bring recognition to ourselves, or to brag about the good deeds we have done for others?  That is not love.  Acts out of a place of love are selfless acts.  Through that type of love, others will see the Holy Spirit living within us.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul teaches us that when we are patient, we are living in love.  When we are kind, we are living in love.  When we do not envy or boast, when we are not arrogant, and when we are not irritable, we are living in love.  And when you live in love, you begin living the life of Heaven on earth, and the very glory of God is manifested within you and your actions. 

If we want to see the full glory of God come to earth, we must learn to love.

Paul says himself "that the greatest of these are love".  Love covers a multitude of sins.  By our love, people will see the kingdom of Heaven on earth.

Who are we to judge other people for what they have done when we have done just the same sins?  Judgement is not up to us.  The Lord calls us to love others, no matter what the nitty-gritty might be.  Through the power of love and community, the enemy will be conquered.

The world is crying out for love.  Everyday we hear songs about worldly love, we see pictures of worldly love, and we watch movies about how 'love is supposed to be'.  But PEOPLE!  When someone experiences the true, compassionate love of Jesus for the first time, they are blown away by how selfless, how forgiving, and how humble it really is.  The love I talk about is not love of this world, but supernatural love.

The church I attend has started a series called 'Marks of a Disciple', which I don't think is a coincidence at all.  The Lord is teaching me about His Spirit, and also about how I should be behaving as a disciple for Him.  They recently did a sermon about a disciple being a lover.  Chris makes some really good points so it is worth listening to if you have some extra time on your hands!

So are we loving others with the supernatural love that the Holy Spirit fills us with?
Caitlin