This is the third podcast on the series of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 with the focus on the first aspect of the fruit produced which is love. The fruit referenced here in Galatians is singular, not plural, which shows that all these items listed are aspects (or characteristics) of one fruit. Think of an apple in which you see the peel, the core, the stem, and the seeds but those are all still a part of the apple which is the fruit.
*1 John 4:7-19 - The first foundation to establish is that love is God. This set of scriptures start out with explaining how God is love and if we know God then we show love in our lives. It goes on to talk about how God's love for us was so great that he sent his son to be the sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16-17). The scripture wraps up saying we love God because He first loved us. God loved each of us when there was nothing about us in our flesh to love. We were sinners without concern for God but He looked down through time and love us anyway.
*Mark 12:28-34 - The second foundation to establish is that love is commanded. Jesus is asked here what is the greatest commandment and he goes on to explain the first is to the love God but also adds the second is to love each other. These two things encompass all the 10 commandments. Since love is a key foundation to living a life after Christ then it is no surprise that Jesus would stipulate the most important thing is to love.
*Romans 13:8-10 - The third foundation to establish is that love fulfills the commandments given by God. In these scriptures, it is explained that love does not do wrong against others so if you have love producing out of you then you will also do good to those around you. More references to fulfilling the law can be found in James 2:8 and 1 Peter 1:22-25.
*John 13:34-35 - The fourth foundation to establish is that love will show that you are a follower of Christ. Jesus' ministry was about loving others. He had compassion on those whom the world did not care about. Others will know that you live a life after Christ by the love you show those around you.
*John 15:12-17 - There is no greater example of love than when a person lays down their life for another and Jesus Christ did this for you at Calvary.
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