Love - what God prefers — Commands

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?

Galatians 5:22, 23

To read about each part, search for "Galatians 5:22, 23 (link below).

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/search/label/Galatians%205%3A22-23

Dominion Mastery

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 (NKJV)

Self-control: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions (THAYER'S GREEK LEXICON); proceeding out from within oneself, but not by oneself; "dominion, mastery"

Self-control: the ability to exercise restraint or control over one's feelings, emotions, reactions, etc (Dictionary.com)

One who masters his desires and passions. Dominion Mastery! 

There are many things which I have "mastered". Some have taken years to learn, and some things, even though I think I've "mastered" them, I still have more learning to do. 

Dominion Mastery, made me think of Taekwondo. You start with a White belt, and after you have mastered certain things, you graduate to a Orange belt. You continue learning and mastering and finally you reach the Black belt. The Black belt represents maturity, you've taken control and learned all the knowledge of the previous belts — you have mastered the art. 

Self-control. Dominions mastery, masters desires and passions—feelings, emotions, and reactions. Since the ability to have self-control comes from "within oneself", that means that it starts with the right "heart-attitude". And that comes from embracing and living the other parts of the Fruit of the Spirit. 

• 1. what God prefers (love)
• 2. grace recognized (joy),
• 3. God's gift of wholeness (peace)
• 4. attitude of uncomplaining (longsuffering)
• 5. favorable attitude — that is serviceable (kindness)
• 6. beyond being good — doing good (goodness)
• 7. character of dependability (faithfulness) 
• 8. power with reserve (gentleness)
• 9. dominion mastery (self-control) 

Power with Reserve

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 (NKJV)

Gentleness: expresses power with reserve, gentle strength

Gentle, meek, mild refer to an absence of bad temper or belligerence. Gentle has reference especially to disposition and behavior, and often suggests a deliberate or voluntary kindness or forbearance in dealing with others. (www.dictionary.com/browse/gentleness?s=t) 

Power with reserve. I like that description. Gentleness doesn't mean we lie down and ignore the wrong in a situation. Rather, we show love and compassion in the midst of a difficult situation. 

Too often we approach situations with the POWER and forget the reserve. We go with full strength and forget the gentle. 

In order to have the right balance of power and reserve, it begins with what God prefers (love), grace recognized (joy), God's gift of wholeness (peace), and attitude of uncomplaining (longsuffering), kindness (favorable attitude — that is serviceable), goodness (beyond being good — doing good),  and faithfulness — character of dependability. 

Power with reserve. I wonder how different our world would be if we all exercised a bit of gentleness. I wonder how different my life would be if I showed more gentleness to those around me. 

Power with reserve. Gentle strength. Forbearance in dealing with others. 

Character of Dependability

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 (NKJV)

Faithfulness: the character of one who can be relied on; strict observance of promises, duties; fidelity, trustworthiness, dependability

One who can be relied on — dependable. If you say you are going to do something, you do it. No excuses.  Reliable.  Can be trusted.

The character of one — that's the basis for faithfulness. What is your character? 

In our society today, lying has become the acceptable norm. There seems to be no consequence for lying. Even if our society doesn't hold one accountable for lying — God does!  

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue. Proverbs 6:16, 17a

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22

Faithfulness — character of dependability. 

Do you do what you say? Can you be trusted? Are you faithful in your words, actions, and attitude? 

Beyond Being — Doing Good!

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 (NKJV)

Goodness: uprightness of heart and life, moral excellence (virtue), beneficence

Goodness goes beyond just being "good" or moral. It means that moral excellences translates into dong — beneficence, charity, making a contribution. 

Notice the progression: what God prefers (love), grace recognized (joy), God's gift of wholeness (peace), and attitude of uncomplaining (longsuffering) is the foundation for our actions kindness (favorable attitude — that is serviceable) and now goodness (beyond being good — doing good).

Goodness, moral excellence that goes beyond just being — and translates into doing!

Jesus Christ is better ..... than the angels

I love this definition of the word, better: 

– what is better because more fully developed, i.e. in reaching the needed dominion (mastery, dominance); "better" after exerting the power needed to "plant down God's flag of victory." (HelpsBible.com)

This word "better" is used in Hebrews 1:4 describing how Jesus Christ is better than the angels. Jesus Christ is better because of what He did and because of who He is (His inheritance). 

Jesus Christ is better! He is better because of His qualifications! Look at His resume...... who He is and all that He did! 

Looking forward to this morning's message from Hebrews 1, Jesus Christ is better - than the angels.

You can listen to Pastor Osborne's Sermons online at:

www.faithbaptistwh.org (The Sermons are listed under the Media tab.)