“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal.5:22-23.
Since the measure of the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit in the life of a believer is
a measure of his or her spiritual maturity it is important that we take a closer look at
these fruits. When a person receives Jesus as his Savour, the Holy Spirit comes into his
life with all these fruits. These fruits are in every believer in seed form.
Finis Jennings Dake wrote in his commentary (Dake’s annotated reference Bible:
The Christian life is a growth. Every grace and blessing of the gospel is in seed
form and implanted in the new born child of God (1Peter 1:23; James 1:18). If
these seeds are watered from heaven and cared for by the individual in
conformity to the word of God they will grow to full maturity. No one or a dozen
works of grace or anointings of the Spirit will make a person fully mature and
beyond the growing stage of Christian experience. One must walk in the light as
he receives knowledge and he will grow normally to maturity in Christ (1John 1:7;
1Peter2:1-8)
Love is the first of the nine-fold fruit of the spirit. Let us look at the true definition of this fruit of
the Spirit.
“Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with
jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not
conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act
unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,
for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the
evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice
and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under
anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person,
its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without
weakening].” 1 Corinthians
This love is the love of God who put it inside of every believer by the Holy Spirit. “And
hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Rom:5:5 NIV.
We are instructed to manifest this love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love
one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34.
When you operate in love you fulfil the law. “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore
love is the fulfillment of the law.” Rom.13:10
Faith operates by love. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
avails anything, but faith working through love.” Gal.5:6
Our knowledge of God is measured by the extent we manifest His love. “Dear friends, let
us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God
and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1John
4:7-8.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The power of God is present everywhere. Faith gives it action and puts it to work…