Roots and Fruitsနမူနာ

The Big Picture: Love Looks Like Something 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22-24).

Have you ever noticed how the fruit of the Spirit is not measured by worldly standards, but in how we treat others? Each fruit leaks into our relationships and shows us how to treat others the way Christ treated those around Him. When Jesus was on earth, He didn’t just come and say “I love you” to us; He stretched out his hands on the cross and died for us. Love equals actions and behavior. 

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5:13-14).

We cannot image Christ if we are not serving and loving those around us in the community. Just telling someone we love them but then gossiping about them, refusing to help and serve them, harboring jealousy or unforgiveness towards them is contradictory; these attitudes and behaviors question the genuineness of our love because biblical love goes beyond mere words to real fruit in how we think about and treat others. 

Ask Yourself: How do your actions demonstrate love to others? As an image-bearer of Christ, what is something you can do this week to show love to someone in your life?