by Timothy W. Burnett
The word love in Galatians 5:22 is translated from the word agape. As we continue to grow and walk in the spirit of God, we will begin to bear the spiritual fruit of God�s love. And when we start bearing good fruit, others who come into our lives can enjoy and benefit from it.
When we see a rich and fruitful tree, we can approach it, pick the fruit and eat the fruit. This is one of the reasons for bearing good fruit. Another reason is so that we can be successful in our lives (see Psalms 1:3).
Please understand that to bear fruit is not the means toward the end. So often people are led to think they must change their behaviors in order to show the spiritual fruit. This is not the case. It does not start with acting patient or joyful or peaceful. Instead it starts with continually planting ourselves by the rich rivers of God�s word and His spirit in us.
Let�s dive into God�s word concerning His love toward us starting with John 3:16, �For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life.� These words perfectly define what it means to bear the spiritual fruit of God�s love.
God gave His son as the final sacrificial lamb for the entire world. The spilling of Jesus� sinless blood made it possible for people to eventually be cleansed from the inside out. But this could not happen unless God first raised him from the dead. Now, all who believe with their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead are immediately filled with holy spirit. The first record of this can be found in Acts 2:4.
Romans 5:5-6 shines more light on the subject, ��because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.� It says the love of God is shed into our hearts. According to Romans 5:10 & 11, this shedding abroad resulted in reconciliation and atonement.
Having God�s love inside makes people holy and without blame in the Lord Jesus Christ. As it says, �According as He has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love� (Ephesians 1:4). To be holy means to be set apart from the world and sanctified.
True faith originates out of God�s love that is shed in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (see Galatians 5:6). It is impossible to have true spiritual faith without having holy spirit within. Because of God�s love we can walk by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ (see also Romans 3:22, Ephesians 3:17 and Colossians 1:4).
God�s love edifies the body of Christ (see Ephesians 4:16 and 1Thessalonians 3:12).
God sets His love in opposition to fear, �For God has not given the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind� (2Timothy 1:7). �For there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear� (1John 4:18).
As we start to bear true spiritual fruit in due season, others will be able to approach us and enjoy God�s delicious and edifying love. That is to love one another. Jesus Christ said, �As the Father has loved me, so also have I loved you. Continue in my love� (John 15:9).
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