Fruit of the Spirit Part 1 - Love

John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Reading Galatians 5:16-26
Other useful readings - Romans 13, 1 John 4 and 1 Corinthians 13

What is LOVE?

What is the love required of us?
The love required of us is totally unselfish love, a matter of will and action, expressed in service of unworthy as much as of the worthy, based upon the pattern of the love set forth in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:7
It is commanded
God is the source
Love is a characteristic of the believer – see 1 John 3:14

1 John 4:8/16
Not only does God love but He is Love

God demonstrated this love to us when He sent His only son to die for us. See Romans 8:32

He has lavished us with His great love in calling us His Children – 1 John 3:1

What is adoption? Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God (Shorter Catechism)

God pours out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit – Romans 5:5

We only Love God after he has loved us. It is our response. 1 John 4:19

Love has a priority over spiritual gifts – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Love also takes 1st place in the “Fruit of the Spirit” - Galatians 5:22

What are the foremost characteristics and activities of love?

Patience – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Kindness – Love strives to be honest (Mark 10:21), see also Ephesians 4:15 in regards to how we speak to one another.
Joy – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Hope – 1 Corinthians 13:7
Endurance – 1 Corinthians 13:7 (see also John 13:1)
Service – Love is active in good works (Hebrews 10:24). see also Galatians 5:13 and Romans 13:10
Generosity – 2 Corinthians 8:8-12, 24, 1 John 3:17
Constructiveness – Love builds/edifies (1 Corinthians 8:1) it also unites believers (Colossians 2:2)
Reflective of God's love: love that shows love even to your enemies. Matthew 5:44-45, Luke 6:27, 35 and John 13:34

What are the opposites of love? Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 and 1 John 3:11-18

Jealousy
Boastfulness
Arrogance
Rudeness
Selfishness
Irritability
Resentment
Maliciousness
Hatred