The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Thursday, August 20, 2020

THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – WHAT IS LOVE?

A vast number of believers have misinterpreted the fruit of the Spirit as characteristic that should automatically follow a believer when they accept Jesus as Lord. Of a truth, the fruits automatically follow us when we accept Christ and receive His Spirit, however, it doesn’t manufacture automatically in the lives of new converts or believers. The key to understanding these qualities is in the name “Fruit”.

You don’t plant a mango seed and expect it to germinate immediately, you give it ample time for growth and increase then in the process of time, it buds fruits. Fruit is the natural result of growth. And “of the Spirit” depicts who exactly causes that growth: it’s not our toiling, striving or effort that causes us to manifest these fruits however, the power of the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (KJV)

No amount of human toil or gritty determination can produce spiritual fruit, however, the Spirit’s influence in a yielded heart can work miracles. For instance, God’s definition of love is different from human meaning of love and this kind of love can only be birth by the strength of the Holy Ghost. John 15:12-15, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command…” (NIV) Read also 1 John 5:3 (KJV)

The English language has a very broad meaning of the word love, but the Greek language is very precise. The love which the Holy Spirit manifests in believers is agape. This love is not a feeling, but a choice. It is the choice to be sacrificial, kind, and to consider another’s needs greater than your own. See Philippians 2:3 (CEV)

In the New Testament, Agape is used in all the “hard” love verses. Love is the greatest gift God can give. Agape is patient, Agape never fails, Agape is perfect. We must decide to grow in the Spirit in order for us to walk effectively and efficiently in love.

 Confession: Glory to God, I walk in love, I am a new creature, I possess the nature of God and that nature loves, therefore I walk in perfect love. I enjoy tender love and favor. Jesus is Lord.

Further Reading:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing

Read through the Bible: 1 Samuel 12 & Romans 10