A Closer Look at the Fruit of the Spirit: Love

From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. In Galatians 5:22, love is the first fruit of the Spirit listed. Perhaps that’s because love is what enables us to develop the other fruit of the Spirit in our lives, paving the way for what God wants to do in our hearts. In the context of the fruit of the Spirit, love signifies a deep, sacrificial, and active form of affection, often described as “unconditional” love. It transcends a simple feeling and embodies a conscious decision to prioritize the needs and well-being of others, even when it’s difficult. Love is considered the first fruit of the Spirit because it is a foundational characteristic of God’s nature and a key expression of His relationship with humanity. Love is what enables us to truly experience and reflect God's character. A familiar Bible passage comes to mind when I ponder what love looks like. Luke 10:29–37 contains the famous parable of the good Samaritan. A lawyer asked Jesus about salvation; Jesus asks the lawyer how he reads the Law. They agree that the core of the Mosaic law is to love God and love one's neighbor. However, seeking an apparent way of avoiding the law, the lawyer asks who he must consider a “neighbor.” In response, Jesus tells the story in this passage. The implication is that a “neighbor” is anyone in need. The religious folks, (the Levite and the priest) the ones who have right doctrine and diligently attempt to follow all Jewish laws, fail to love the man beaten on the side of the road. In so doing, they break the law of loving their neighbor. The Samaritan—from a group despised for, among other things, its departure from Jewish theology—nevertheless fulfills the law of love. The Samaritan “went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Luke 10:34). Jews of that era hated Samaritans for their mixed heritage, and corrupted doctrine. By making the Samaritan the one who fulfills the law of love, surpassing that of Jewish religious leaders, Jesus explains that showing love is not merely a task. It should be a natural expression of one's character. God expects us to be people of love, not merely people who love. That’s the unconditional love of God! That’s the God kind of love! Be encouraged!