Fruits of the Spirit: Love

At first blush, it would seem ideal to discuss the fruit of Love on Valentine’s Day. And you’re right, it is the day of the year that many will express their devotion to others through flowers, chocolates, and other gestures. But in the context of Christian Love, what is the definition that best personified Love?

 
There are countless definitions, and none of them are wrong. The one I’ll chose for our discussion is found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, because I think it is the most context-agnostic:
“unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another”

What strikes me about this definition is how much it expresses giving of ones self. And so when we think about what it means to express Love as a Christian, how do we manifest or demonstrate this in our relationships? At work? With strangers?

As you can guess, I don’t have an answer that fits everyone or every situation. Because while there is a baseline we can and should agree on, it’s our heart that God will look at. But what I do know is that Love is meant to be reciprocal, that is, given or done in return for something else. Surprised by that statement? Well, you may be thinking of Love in expectation of love from another person. Rather, Love as a fruit of the Spirit is reciprocal to the  love God has shown to us! In other words, God expects us (because what good is a tree that bears no fruit) to Love others “..with unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern…” in reciprocation for the love he has shown us. That’s exactly what we find in John 13.34-35“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

I can attest to the fact that it’s not always easy, loving someone. In fact, there are times I’ve seen indifference as a reasonable alternative to showing love, thinking that it was somehow “better” than hate. But indifference, or apathy, is the most dangerous because it can be excused as “not hate” when we choose to be neutral in our emotion towards others. But just as God spews out the lukewarm, we have to constantly guard our hearts to not allow hate or indifference to catch hold in our relationships.
So how do we Love when we don’t want to or don’t feel Love? First, we ask God to soften our hearts so that the fruit can actually be sown and grow. Each of us has to discover what works best, but for me I find that devotionals and Christian music are good ways to getting my mind right about the people and situations I am dealing with. Recently, I event returned to playing Christian radio stations while I sleep. There’s something special about waking up to an uplifting song, knowing that it has fed my spirit while I slept. 

So Love has to be something we as Christians see as our obligation, with no conditions, no exceptions. It has to be an “in spite of” love, as God showed us through his Son.