Love Is the Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” — Galatians 5:22
Paul does not say the fruit of the Spirit is power.
He does not say the fruit of the Spirit is prophecy.
He does not say the fruit of the Spirit is influence.
He says first, and intentionally, the fruit of the Spirit is Love.
- Before joy.
- Before peace.
- Before patience.
Love is listed first because love is the root from which all the other fruit flows.
The Spirit Produces the Fruit… Notice Paul does not say “the fruit of effort.” He does not say “the fruit of personality.”
He says, “the fruit of the Spirit.” Notice that Fruit is not manufactured, Fruit is produced.
You cultivate the root system. When the Holy Spirit has full access to our heart, love becomes the natural overflow.
In ministry, I’ve seen this truth: A believer can operate in gifts and still struggle in character. But when love is evident, maturity is present.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass…”
You can have gifting without fruit. But you cannot have true spiritual maturity without love.
Love Grows Where the Spirit Leads… When we yield to the Spirit:
- Offense loses its grip
- Bitterness loses its voice
- Pride loses its dominance
- Compassion begins to rise
Jesus said in John 15:5:
“He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.”
The key is not striving… The key is abiding.
- Stay connected.
- Stay surrendered.
- Stay filled.
And the Spirit will produce love that is patient, kind, enduring, and unfailing.
Church, don’t just seek the manifestation of the Spirit but Seek the formation of the Spirit. Don’t just pray for power.Pray for fruit.
Because when love grows in a church:
- Marriages are strengthen
- Unity in relationships deepens
- Revival is sustains
- The world takes notice
The Holy Spirit produces the fruit and our responsibility is to surrender.
Today’s Prayer: Holy Spirit, I give you full access to my heart. Produce in me what we cannot produce on my own.
Let your love grow where pride once lived. Let your compassion rise where judgment once stood.
Let your gentleness replace harshness. Make me a person known not only for power, but for love.In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Pastor Eli Hendricks
LifeWay Community Church
850.668.0108
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