Good evening! Hey, Hi and Hello.

I’ll get straight into it. Welcome to the first installment of the Galatians 5 A Day series!

So over the next few posts, we’re gonna be exploring the fruit of the Spirit, and how we can apply and build good habits in our lives. They say it takes 21 days to form a new habit, so we need to learn to be intentional in building good habits, which better our character and help others.

So, here are the verses we’re looking at:

Galatians 5:22-23 [NKJV]

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law

Today, we’re gonna talk about LOVE. 

I think when we think of love, the initial thought is a romantic love, because that’s what we see around us, romantic films, instagram relationship and love goals, love is more of a romantic, ‘picturesque’ love. But what does the bible tell us about love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 [NIV]

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

This is a common passage of Scripture highlighting what love is, written by Paul. And unsurprisingly, a couple of the definitions of what love is matches what Paul also talks as being the fruit of the Spirit. I’m just gonna list a couple more scriptures I’ll reference when discussing!

1 John 4: 7

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

I would recommend reading from chapter 4:7-21! However I want to highlight verses 11, 12 & verse 16

¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

So, what I am learning from these few scripture, is that love isn’t just between romantic relationships, but the way we treat people, between a parent and a child, between brothers also! God is love. Not only does He love, but he IS love. Which means that all that He does is through love. We love him because He loved us first! When we begin to practice loving other people, we are blossoming in the fruit of the Spirit, who is God also. We are becoming more like Him!

Think about it this way, if the seed of love is growing within you, this means that God is growing within you, and you’re manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. When you live in love, beginning to act in love always, without second thought, God begins to make a dwelling place within you.

I’m just gonna pick from the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and put some challenges for us this week!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 [NIV]

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

 

1. Love is patient – when was the last time you were patient with someone? We’ll explore this one more when we get to this part in the Galatians 5 A Day series. However, the definition of patience is ‘the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.’.  If someone isn’t moving on your time or schedule, do you become annoyed at them? Are you someone who snaps? So, in the challenge to become more loving, be more patient with your children, with your friends, with people around you, work colleagues, take a deep breath!

2. Love is kind – again, this is gonna be something we explore more later in the series, but this is being compassionate, to all people, this is thinking of others, being caring, thoughtful. Challenge:  Do something for someone else, which doesn’t benefit you at all. Do the cleaning without being asked, buy a stranger a coffee!

3. Love does not envy – this one for me was a hard one to talk about, and I had to pray a bit more about this to get more revelation. When you love someone, you can’t be envious of them, and what they have. Because when you become envious of someone, you can’t be happy about what they have, but you’re thinking that you’d rather it belong to you. So, have the thought that what belongs to others is meant to be for others, and what belongs to you is meant for you. God gives us all according to our own ability and what He has in store for us. Don’t concentrate on what they have, but appreciate and be happy for others! Challenge: compliment something on a recent achievement of theirs!

4. Love does not boast – The definition of boasting: excessively proud and self-satisfied talk about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities. When you do acts of love, it’s not to be seen by others, but for the fact you’re doing it out of love. For example, Jesus taught that when you give, your right hand shouldn’t even know what your left hand is doing, that you don’t need to do things to show off, but just out of love. You don’t need to boast “I’m the best lover, because I did this for my mother”, yes encourage others to do things, but don’t be boastful! Challenge:  Do a secret act of love! A kind gesture, that nobody will see.

5. Love is not proud – when you’re proud or being puffed up, it’s being arrogant! I think not being proud can link up with not boasting! The bible tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble! Humbling ourselves, and not thinking you’re better or above people. Even children, treat them with the love and respect you would give someone else. Just because they’re younger, doesn’t make them any less of a human! Challenge:  Do an act which people consider ‘below’ them, such as clearing up litter in the street, something that doesn’t focus on you, that the glory doesn’t be given to you but to God.

6. Love does not dishonour others – This is a point I think needs to be emphasised more than ever. Sometimes I see people comparing themselves, and encouraging themselves, based off other people. “At least I don’t look like her”, “I’m good because I’m better than this person”. You don’t need to put others down in order to validate yourself. Don’t shame, or disgrace others. Put someone up! You have no idea what the person you’re seeking to shame is going through. Comparison kills. DOn’t shame someone. Don’t disgrace someone! Choose love. Challenge:  Say a word of encouragement to someone you don’t know! Or someone you don’t usually speak to.

7. Love is not self-seeking – this is one which doesn’t require a lot of explanation, but think of others, do something for others, put others first! Yes it’s so important to love yourself also, and treat yourself well. However, also think of others too. The importance I’d say is balance! Love God, love yourself, love others! Challenge: do something generous for another! Do something for someone who can’t give you back/ pay you back.

8. Love is not easily angered – This links I’d say to being patient, however some people may not become angry when impatient, but may just be anxious. But when it comes to loving, God isn’t saying that we never get angry, the bible tells that when we’re angry do not sin. However, don’t be someone who’s like a ticking time bomb, that at any second, you’re bursting, any small thing. Control! Because often our anger can make us spurt out things we don’t necessarily mean to say, and we aren’t in control, and a second of anger can cause long lasting damage  Challenge: inhale, exhale. Walk away if you can. Practice that you’re not gonna let this anger you.

9. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs– super important. I think sometimes we can tell ourselves we’ve forgiven. We can tell ourselves that we love someone, but at the very second something happens, you’re on hand with every single wrongdoing that the person did to you ever. But that’s not what love is about. If God had kept every wrong-doing that we had done and held it over our heads, we’d be totally undeserving. But if He chooses to forgive us and wipes us clean, and makes us new!  We need to learn how to do that. Choose to forgive. You’re setting yourself free. This isn’t easy always to forget. Start by not dwelling. Letting yourself keep focusing on all the wrong. Don’t dwell on what they’ve done wrong to you, but make the decision to move forward and be free! Challenge:  The next time someone you love has upset you, think of three times they’ve done something well to you!

10. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth – when you love, don’t be settling for a sinful type of love, but rejoice and be free with the truth! Also I read a Barnes Commentary for this verse, and it also spoke about don’t rejoice when people fall into sin, even your enemy, but be happy when others do well. With the goodness of others. Challenge: If and when you see someone who’s fallen, pray for them, send them love.

11. Love always protects – We have to be our brother’s keeper, if it means protecting each other physically, or even standing for each other in the gap of prayer, in intercession. Challenge: Pray for someone other than yourself.

12. Love always trusts – when you love trust that they’ll do something good. Sometimes when people let us down, it’s difficult to believe they won’t fail us again, but this leads me to the next point

13. Love always hopes – Faith, trust and hope I believe go together. Believing for better! Being hopeful doesn’t cost you a thing. It’s okay to hope that someone is going to do better and do better. Trust in God, and trust that they won’t let you down again. Hope that things will turn out better. Hope that things will improve. God is someone who exceeds everything we even can hope for. Have a little faith, have a little hope. Challenge: write down five things you’re hoping for! Share them and pray on them.

14. Love always perseveres – definition: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Don’t give up! Yes sometimes for your own safety you have to walk away. But unless for that, don’t give up. God hasn’t given up on us, so let’s learn to push on, press on. Sometimes when we’re in the midst of a storm, in a relationship with someone, in a friendship, with family, when things don’t seem successful, just remember, things start in the spiritual, and prayer brings it to come in the physical. Pray, keep pushing. Pray until something happens. Challenge: Help someone, or find counsel about an issue or something you wanted to give up on, and pray on how you can persevere. Remember, that God gives us the will and the  strength to do His will.

15. Love never fails – Things in life, come to an end and may not have success. However, love is not like this. Love never fails! It will never to cease to exist. God is love, and sometimes it may seem like this world is lost for love, we can’t see much love. But believe that love is all around us. Challenge: Be the love you want to see in the world.

I hope this post reaches you and challenges you to do something! Pick one two or all of these to try. Remember, love isn’t just for people who love us back, but love is even towards our enemies! (ouch, we don’t like that one right?). But love all! Whether they reciprocate or not. Why? Because it’s building within you, and you’re doing this unto God. Your reward is in heaven. Also, the more we love, we are becoming more like God. And we’re creating a dwelling place for Him to stay.

And another point, you don’t have to be a christian to show love. This is for all of us. If we individually decide to be a bit more loving in this world, the world would be a better place.

God bless you! <3.

Have an amazing week!

Peace, joy & love. x

~ tk