Cultivating Love

Last month, we talked about cultivating spiritual fruit, as it is found in Galatians 5:22-23. We know that as the branches of the True Vine, we are to produce good fruit, or we will be cut off (see John 15:2). The fruit that we produce will either point others towards Christ or away from him. What exactly is this fruit we are supposed to be producing? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 Who are we to love?

The first of the fruit listed in this verse is LOVE. As believers we are commanded to love. When asked by the Pharisees (who were trying to trick him) what the greatest command in the Bible was, Jesus replied with this: "And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus said that the entire Bible depends on two commands: to love God, and to love one another. We are to love God and love others. When we love others, they will see Jesus living in us because we are obeying the commands of the Father. When we love others, even those who are difficult to love, we can actively point them to the One who loves the most. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34

Why are we to love?

Yes, we are to love others because it is a command. Is that the only reason, because God said so? While this is definitely enough reason to love, the why behind this command is much sweeter. We love others because Jesus first loved us. He died for us, his flesh was ripped apart so that we would not have to spend eternity in hell. He loved us so much that He gave up the throne of heaven for 33 years and lived on this sad, difficult earth. That's why we love others. Because He loved us FIRST. "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 How do we love?

Now we know what we are supposed to do (love God and love others), and we know why we are supposed to do it (because He first loved us), how do we love? Practically, how can we love like Jesus? I have found 3 simple ways we can love others like Jesus would love them.

1. In Humility "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 We can love others by counting them more than our own selves. Jesus counted us more significant than Himself by dying on the cross.

2. In Forgiveness "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14 We can love others by forgiving them, whether we think they deserve it or not. That is how the father loves us.

3. In Sacrifice "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13 We can love others by sacrificing ourselves for them. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of love for us, by laying down his life. This month, as you go about your busy schedule, make sure you are cultivating the fruit of love with everyone that you encounter. It is the greatest command.