But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23
As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.
Love - what God prefers
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
Commandment: reach the end, consummation – properly, "in the end," focusing on the end-result (objective) of a command
Another: each other. This is a reciprocal pronoun. Reciprocal is a mathematical expression or function so related to another that their product is one.
As I have: according to; properly, "in proportion, to the degree that" (J. Thayer); just as (in direct proportion), corresponding to fully (exactly). (HelpsBible.com)
You: singular, personal
The end result of God's love is that I will love those with whom I come in contact. I am to love each and every person — and not in a general sense, but love —as God prefers.
How does God love me?
His love is unconditional. God loved us as sinners. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
His love is everlasting. Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
His love is just. Psalm 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The Fruit of the Spirit should be evident in my life. God commands—and expects results — that I love all those around me — each and everyone.
Love - what God prefers - is that I love others with the same love God has for me.
The question is, am I doing that?
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