The Fruit of the Spirit: LoveSample

Love Sacrificially

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives, and the first fruit Paul mentions in Galatians 5:22 is the fruit of love. In connection with the gifts, Paul says in 1 Cor. 14:1, “Let love be our highest goal.” In both verses, Paul refers to Agape love. Unconditional, sacrificial love. This love is not based on warm fuzzy feelings. It is expressed even in the most challenging circumstances.

In this light, we need to look at the verse at the beginning of today. We know how much God "agapes" us, John says. The greatest act of agape love is that one lays down his life for a brother (John 15:13). That is what Jesus did for us when He descended from heaven to live on this earth as a human being. He laid down His life, and He laid down His glory. Here on earth, our Lord continued to show agape love to the people around Him. And without waiting for us to take the first step, He showed us how much He loves us by giving His life on the cross. In everything that Jesus did and said, He loves unconditionally and sacrificially. For you and me, following His example means we treat others from the agape love we live in. When we live in love, we live in God, and God is love. When loving people, we often need to step away from our rights and choose to love the people around us so that they will experience the love we live in through us. And we can only do this when we give the Holy Spirit complete control of our life. Only then will this fruit of love come to fruition in us. When you "agape" people, it will cost you something. But as this fruit develops in your life, you will look more and more like Jesus; love cost Him everything.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, today I give you complete control of my life. So that the fruit of love will develop in me, I can only really love people in your power, so here I am, wholly available.