The Fruit of the Spirit

 “The entire law is summed up in a single command; “Love your neighbor as yourself”                    Galatians 5:14

“Simple but not easy”. This is one of the sayings used by people in recovery, and I like it. The concept we are talking about is profoundly simple, and it sums up thousands of pages of law that Hebrews tried to keep. Simply love your neighbor as yourself and you’ve got it. The profound truth of the universe explained. While this is a simple concept, it is excruciatingly hard to follow. Do you and I love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves?

Truth is, we cannot do this in our own power. That is why we see in Galatians 5: 22, Paul says that the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit is love. In fact, some commentaries suggest that the fruit of the Spirit is love, period. All those other descriptors, like joy, peace, patience, etc. are simply aspects of love.

So, we can completely fulfill the requirements of God’s law by yielding ourselves to the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. If we do that, we will love others with the love of God. This leads to peace with God and others. Knowing who we are and where we stand with the everlasting God as a result of doing what He has commanded gives us peace. Loving others as we love ourselves can only be attained through yielding to the Spirit. Doing this daily allows us to grow in the experience of the peace of God. The promise fulfilled- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)

Prayer: Father your commands set us free. Help us to yield daily to love you, by loving others better, Amen