We have thought about how the Spirit gives us gifts, such as teaching, preaching, encouragement, mercy, leadership, etc. The idea is that we are to use these gifts to minister to those who do not know the Lord and to enrich the lives of those who do know Him. When we use these gifts of the Spirit, they will bear fruit for the kingdom of God. Isn’t that our goal?

Let’s see what “bearing fruit” is all about.

Jesus told his diciples that he was going away, but He would send another counselor who would be with them forever—the Spirit of truth.

“The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14;36

Sure enough the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, empowering their witness that they may bear much fruit. We’re not talking about money or fame or acts of our sinful nature—like sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, etc. No, spiritual fruit deals with inner qualities that produce positive not negative results. Paul gives a good list of Spiritual fruit to get us started.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Today, we begin with “love.” Ah, sweet love. It is why Jesus came.

“For God so loved the world that he gave . . . “ John 3:16

That love encompasses all that Jesus taught and how He lived. It is the reason He died for you and me. Likewise, He expects it of us.

“This is my command that you love one another.”John 15:17

Truly, this is our heart’s desire, but what if we don’t even like somone much less have love for the person? Permit me to share an experience from my days at Georgetown College.

I couldn’t wait to participate in a Bible study/discussion group led by a welll-respected teacher on campus. We gathered for our first meeting and all went well.

However, one guy in the group just turned me off. Jake wasn’t very attractive and displayed rather effeminate characteristics. I found myself cringing any time he made a comment.

I thought about my attitude and felt ashamed that such little things would get in my way of friendship. It occurred to me that in the normal flow of relationships, you first notice a person, have experience with them, like them, and then grow to love them.

But what if I couldn’t even get to the liking stage?

At this point, I believe the Lord himself planted a thought in my mind. What if I prayed to “love” Jake first, even if I didn’t “like” him? I fully focused on this idea for weeks.

After we were well into the study, I became aware of a new attitude breaking through. Not only was I learning to love Jake as a brother in Christ, I was actually beginning to like him!

Could it be that there is someone in your life that you need to “love” into “like?”

~ Joyce ~