Love
Paul’s list of “fruits” starts with
love. There could never be any doubt that this was where he would start. His
life had been transformed by discovering the love of God and of the Christian
community, who had welcomed him even though he had been one of their chief
persecutors (Acts 9.1-39). He writes many times about love in his letters,
including the famous passage in 1 Corinthians 13, in which he describes love as
the only thing which can really transform us. (“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but have not
love, I am nothing...”)
Love is fundamental to our survival
from our earliest days. Babies can only
survive if someone loves them enough to feed and protect them. It is the thing
which binds us to each other through life, drawing us into communities where we
can support each other. It comes in many forms and is expressed in many ways.
It is hard to define or explain, but unmistakeable when we encounter it. The
Bible is clear that our capacity to love is linked to how secure we are in
God’s love. “We love because he first
loved us” (1 John 4.19). it reminds us, again and again that God’s love is
indestructible. God seeks out the lost sheep, and looks out longingly for the
lost son (Luke 15) until they are found.
·
Who loves you, or has loved you, in your life?
What impact did their love have on you? Did their love help you to love others?
·
Do you feel that God loves you? Have you always
felt that?
·
Pray:
that you would feel secure in God’s love so that you can love others with the
same generosity he shows to you.
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