Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit, Part 1: Love and Longsuffering, Written by my Husband and Me

Pursuing the Fruits of the Spirit: Love and Longsuffering

Written by my Husband (Mel) and Me

(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. 

When we display the fruits of the spirit, we automatically invite a spirit of harmony into our home and outside relationships. 

The root of all the other actions is love.  Think of it as the tree that grows all the other fruits from its magnificent branches.  When you love one another, your actions will (or should) reflect your feelings.  For when your love is sincere, you care more about another person's happiness than your own, and you would never do anything to cause someone else harm, especially when you consider how much God loves that person.

(Matthew 7:12) Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.  

As Christians, we are called to be a reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are indwelt with God’s Holy Spirit, then we should have God’s divine nature and attributes present within our lives. As the moon reflects light from the sun, we should reflect the light of the Son. The greatest of all of the fruits of the Spirit is love. It is impossible to be truly saved without love in your heart. For God is love, and those indwelt with his Holy Spirit will be people of love. God’s Word tells us we should love God, as well as love our neighbor as ourselves. Christ is our example of selfless love. Although Christ was God, He left His throne in glory, became a man, and humbled Himself to the death upon the cross. Upon the cross He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Christ taught us to love our enemies, and to do good to those who wrong us. We should imitate Christ and have this same selfless love for our neighbors.

 Christ told us that in the last day’s lawlessness would abound, and the love of many will grow cold. 

(Matthew 24: 12-13) And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 

Many, within our modern culture consider hardness, and coldness toward others, as a strength to be admired. It is considered fashionable not to smile, but rather to look hard when being photographed. Television, movies, books, as well as our public schools, teach that the strong must walk on others to get ahead in this life. Love, kindness, selflessness, as well as charity, are frowned upon as weakness. It is popular to have sculls and crossbones on adult, as well as children’s clothing. I don’t understand why anyone would want this symbol of death on their clothes, or in their home.

It is truly as the days of Noah today, and the attributes of Satan are visible in most people’s lives. As Christians, we must go against the grain of our cold society, and let the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ shine through us. 

Longsuffering is another form of love, and it means that we are to be patient with those who are difficult.  The bullies, those who are purposefully antagonistic, the bad drivers, and poorly trained or just plain rude customer service people, etc.   It is learning to have mercy on someone who you want to retaliate against. It is learning to see them through God's eyes of love and compassion.  It is learning to put Matthew 5:43-45 into practice.

(Matthew 5:43-45) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

It is sometimes hard to have love for our fellow humans, but with Christ, all things are possible. We live in a fallen world, and we all have faults, that is why it is important not to be critical of others. Longsuffering is love in action. Love keeps no record of wrongs but endures all things. The patient enduring of the character or personality flaws of others is demonstrating true Christ-like love. However, in order to maintain peace, as well as to avoid conflicts, it is sometimes necessary not to associate with certain people. Nevertheless, we are to continue to love that person, and not to allow bitterness into our heart.

If you have bitterness in your heart toward others, I urge you to let the love of Christ melt away the ice on your heart. Even the roots of bitterness are an open door for the devil to have a stronghold in your life. If you have animosity toward someone, let it go, and let the peace of God rule in your heart and mind. Sometimes, it is better not to even speak about a person who stirs up hard feelings. Silence is golden and will help you forgive the person who has offended you. Praying for the offender is the best way to bring a release to your heart.  

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8 & 13) 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. Love never fails. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.