“[T]he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
EVERY human wants to RECEIVE more of the “fruit” listed in these verses, right? But a correct understanding of the fruit of God’s Spirit reveals that it is NOT produced for us—it is produced to GIVE to others.
My friend, the apple tree does not eat its own fruit. Abundantly experiencing the fruit of God’s Spirit occurs when He produces it in us—to give it away.
The essence and purpose of each fruit is actually in the act of giving—not in the receiving. Let’s examine this closer by looking at the first fruit of the Spirit, which is “love.”
The word “love” as used here, is the word “agape” which is the purest love. It’s not counterfeit love because it comes only from God. It is complete selflessness. Remember:
Without Christ, we are unable to be selfless.
Without Christ, WE remain desperate to GET the love WE need.
Without Christ, we must get love from others.
We NEED Christ. But when we are full of the fruit of God’s supernatural love…we don’t need to get love from anyone else. In fact, we KNOW the love we have is not from us or any other human. It is evident to us that it is supernatural. God’s love, as described by His Word, is as follows:
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
God’s love, by the above definition, MUST be given away. Every act of love as described above involves engaging us in GIVING away something to another person without expectation of receiving anything in return.
We can do this ONLY when we are receiving all the love we need from God.
When God’s Spirit produces love—it must flow out of us.
This same principle applies to every fruit of God’s Spirit—joy, peace, compassion, goodness, etc. it’s so amazing—when God produces joy in us, we must give it away to fully enjoy it. Just the other night when I was home alone, I saw the most beautiful fireworks beyond the mountain just off my back deck. As I watched from my deck, I thought to myself how much more joyful this experience would be if there were someone here to share it with me. It’s not that I was dissatisfied; but rather it was God reminding me that all the goodness He has given me is so much greater when shared with others.
The love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control we experience IN Christ are only completely enjoyed when we are SHARING these gifts with others.
And it is simply a wonderful bonus when we receive these gifts of kindness, love, joy, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, longsuffering, and self control from others. The primary purpose of the fruits of the Spirit is to SHARE them with others—not to keep them to ourselves. Can you imagine if the apple tree held onto its fruit? It would simply rot on the branch. A healthy tree freely releases its fruit in its season and is always preparing for the growth of more to give away.
The proof of the health of our relationship with Christ is in the fruit we are producing and giving to others.
Is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control obvious in your life? Are these characteristics SO evident that people are asking you to explain where it comes from? Ah, the fruit of the Spirit presents glorious opportunities to draw people into the Gospel. Folks are hungering and thirsting for love and freedom from anxiety.
2 Responses
God’s love is so powerful. We must be willing to share it. Because after all sharing is caring.
Yes, God is amazing!