FOS 3- Fruit of the Spirit: Love

 If you are just now beginning this study on the Fruit of the Spirit, I urge you to find Part 1 in my blog link at the bottom of this study.

When studying scripture I use what is called the inductive method. I become like a detective searching the scriptures and using tools at my disposal (a dictionary, blue letter Bible app to see original Greek or Hebrew, and even pen paper and coloring pencils to highlight mark key words or write out key points. I also have a Bible with extra space for writing in) to see what God says. I don’t use commentaries or even notes in my Bible (other than cross references or definitions) until I am done with my study of a given section of scripture. This keeps me from being influenced by what others say and makes me work harder to see what God says. If you have questions about this method don’t hesitate to send me your questions.

Keep in mind that at times your study will leave you with more questions than answers. Don’t give up. Do what you can and continue to compare scripture with scripture. The more you study your Bible, the more it will start to make sense and you will get so excited when things click in your heart and mind. This study will present you with verses to study mostly on your own, and then the following lesson I will go through some of those things and provide you with something to study before my next one comes out. 

I typically refer to the fruit as singular. Though there are nine, they all come from the same Holy Spirit. As we study love and each part of the fruit, keep in mind that while we “work” towards reflecting the fruit in our lives, we are doing it in the power of the Holy Spirit. Read the verses below and meditate on them while praying before beginning your study of the remaining scriptures.

Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV) 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

As you work through each of the fruit of the Spirit, keep the above verses in mind. As a Christian, the goal is to let more of Christ shine through us. It will be a constant push and pull with our fleshly desires until we are made fully new upon Christ's return. In the meantime we learn to let the Holy Spirit do the work that we cannot do on our own.

Over the next couple of weeks, study the verses below and take notes for each group. Be sure to look at the context of the scripture. What comes before? Who was the book written to (often at the beginning or you can find this information in a good study Bible at the beginning, or if you still can't find it, look here: https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/authors.cfm . Note all that you learn about love. If you have time, look up cross-references you find in the margins of your Bible or a concordance.

Read all of 1 Cor 13 with a focus on verse 13. What do you learn in that last verse? How might you summarize some of the key ideas of the other verses?

1 John 4:19 (ESV) We love because he first loved us. (Below I'll have you look at all of this chapter.)

Mark 12:28-31 (ESV) 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Matt 22:34-40, Luke 10:25-28)

Matthew 6:21 (ESV) (Luke 12:34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I threw in this verse above because it is pivotal. If Christ is not our treasure, it will be difficult to love like He calls us to love.

Matthew 5:43-46 (ESV) 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

John 14:15 (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jesus)

John 15:10 (ESV) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (Jesus)

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV) 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Verses 1-5 are good too. They are very weighty and may take some time to dissect through the use of a dictionary and listing out key terms)

Romans 12:9-10 (ESV) 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV) 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 John 4: Look at all of the uses of love (starting in vs 7) and list what you learn. Remember that all that you learn here has to reconcile with other scripture. 

Example:

Vs 7: We should love, love is from God, those who love are of God and know Him.

As I mentioned earlier, take the next couple of weeks to work through these verses and possibly others that teach God's thoughts on love. I will discuss these verses in my next study before laying out the verses for you to study next. Sometimes it is helpful to read and study a portion of scripture one day, and then come back to it the next to review what you studied and see if God gives you more insight. Always pray before, during, and after you study. Prayer with God can be an ongoing conversation.

As we work on exemplifying the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we will also be working on our holiness. That is a high calling, but one we can and should work towards--never under compulsion, but always because of our love of God and thankfulness for His mercy and grace through Jesus.

1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Fruit of the Spirit Intro Part 1