Fruit of the Spirit: Love

  
 
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​“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
       At our local congregation, I teach the preschool/Kindergarten class which is made up of children between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age. One of the songs that I enjoy singing with the children is the “Fruit of the Spirit” song which helps the children remember the 9 different components of the fruit of the Spirit which are mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Showing the “fruit of the Spirit” means that we are exemplifying the same traits that are mentioned in the Bible that the Holy Spirit possesses, which also means that we are shaping our inner selves to show more of Christ to others than of our own selves. The next series of articles will cover one of the 9 fruit of the Spirit. I will begin this article with the first fruit of the Spirit: Love.
           We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 7:12). We are to show love towards others by helping them and teaching them about living the faithful Christian life.   In English, the word “love” can be applied to various situations. The word “love” can be applied to your feelings toward your spouse, your parents, siblings, strangers, or even a cup of coffee. Koine Greek, which is the language that the writers of the New Testament used, designated a specific word for each version of love that we feel in different situations. Here are the Greek words that were used during Christ’s time to convey the meaning of the word “Love.

1. Eros (ἔρως):  Refers to romantic love felt towards one’s spouse. This Greek term is where the word “erotic” is derived from. The word "Eros" is not actually used in either the Old or New Testaments. 
2. Phillia (φιλία): Refers to feelings one has towards close friends “brotherly love” This word was used in the New Testament to describe Jesus’ love for his disciples (John 20:2) and for Lazarus (John 11:3).
3. Agape (ἀγάπη): This is the kind of love that we should have for all men, and also for our enemies. It is a selfless kind of love that Christians must have in regard to acting in the best interest for all human beings.” But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44).
4. Storge (στοργ): This Greek word refers to love we have for our parents, siblings, our children and other members of our family. Paul used this word in the negative in Romans 1:31 when he described the pagans the hat he was in contact with being without “natural affection.”   

         Love is so important in the Christian life! We are to show love towards others with our words and our actions. " Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." (I Corinthians 13:4-7). We cannot say that we love God if we do not love others and keep His Commandments! (John 14:15).  May others see our love for them and our love for God every day that we live upon the Earth! 

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (I John 4:7). 

In Part 2 of this series on the Fruit of the Spirit, I will be discussing the subject of Joy! 

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