Love (The Fruit of the Spirit in You)

Love                                                                                        Day 28

⁴⁴ 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, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father 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 have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.                                                                                       

Matthew 5:44-48

Following the Spirit requires that we not follow human nature, but instead, follow a spiritual and godly nature. According to worldly and human nature, it is fine to hate someone, especially if we consider that person an enemy. In fact, the world suggests that it is appropriate to hate your neighbor, co-worker, or any other person who says spiteful things about you or stands in your way.

When we live according to the Spirit, however, we do not live by human nature, but Jesus’ nature. Jesus taught us that instead of hating, we should love. We should love others regardless of what has been said about us or done to us. Love will motivate us to turn around and pray for those who are against us.

Loving those whom we feel do not deserve our love is being like Christ. We could never be worthy of His salvation and grace, but He still loves us. Regardless of whether anyone else sees it or not, let us desire to love others as Christ loved us. Let us reveal the fruit of the Spirit in us through our love for others.

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