“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal.5:22-23a NKJV)

We see it sporting events, we quote it quite readily, and it is that proclamation of the gospel that is always on our lips. We as people need only the reassurance of this simple verse to send a message of such thrilling sensations through us all. This verse stands as one that has brought multitudes to the cross of Christ. It kindles in the cold and hardened selfish hearts of humanity the fires of self-sacrificing love; these are words of transparent simplicity, yet overpowering majesty!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Joh.3:16 NKJV)

“THE LOVE OF GOD” to that perishing world; measurable only, and conceivable only, by the gift which came from Him. The apostle Paul would say, “spared not His own Son” (Rom.8:32), or in that which was addressed to Abraham when was ready to offer Isaac on the altar, “withheld not His Son, His only Son, whom He loved” (Gen.22:16).

When we study the bible definition of love, we have to look no further than God’s love for us. God did not create the animals, plants, seas, or skies above in His image; He created man and woman in His image. In part, we can know that God created us with the ability to love beyond any capacity that we can even comprehend at times. It is the love of a mother for an unborn child; it is the father’s discipline of his children for their disobedience and the feeling in your gut that tears at you because you have to do this – that is love. The parents standing by the hospital bed listening to the doctor explain that their child may not live and tearfully beseech the Father above, that is love.

There is another love described in God’s divine word that we sometimes miss. The Greek language distinguishes how the term is used. Ancient Greek has four different words for love: agápe, éros, philía, and storgē. We are most familiar, probably with agápe. This love differs from the others as it is defined as an “unconditional love.” Agápe is the love mentioned in John 3:16.

However, I want to talk about our love for one another, philía, brotherly love. When we see each other the way that God sees us, then our love (agápe) should compel us to want a relationship with the individual(s); that love (philía) defines who we are in our relationship with each other. Think about the following that brotherly love will cause us to do.

First, our love will be honest! “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Rom.12:9) Paul has already “begged” us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. (Rom.12:1) Instructing us not to conform to the worldly lifestyle but to be transformed by renewing our mind and obeying the only will of God (Rom.12:2). With that backdrop, Paul proceeds to explain the unique gifts that we have (Rom.12:7, 8). Then it hits us like the slamming of the brakes in your car; “LET LOVE BE GENUINE!”

What is that you say, Paul, let my love be real? “I am always genuine.” You probably are, but remember, I am mainly talking to me. Do I always seek to encourage? Do I always carry a servant attitude? Do I prefer one another over my desires (Rom.12:10)? Am I willing to steer clear of all friction and strife, be a peacemaker (Matt.5:9)? A note on this, there are times when we must stand up for what is right, what is ethical, what is morally good, but I submit to you that we can do it in love without causing strife and friction. We have to practice love in a simple natural way.

Second, our love willingly bears one another burdens” “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal.6:2) Do you recall the last time you asked somebody to share his or her burdens with you?

There he sat by himself in a row that no one else occupied. With bowed head, his shoulders shaking, it was apparent he was crying. I have been there; I know that feeling of complete and total despair. No one knows me, no one cares about me, and no one to whom I can talk. We have all been there; we all understand that scene. So does God; that is why he gives us each other. That is why Bible is full of passages that encourage and command that we care for one another. I went to him, sat behind him, placed my hand on his shoulder, and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you that would help ease this burden?” He turned to me and said: “yes, please pray with me and for me because I….”

Whoa! Please wait a minute. I was not expecting you to want me to bear your burden with you. Nevertheless, he did. At that moment, that brother and fellow servant in the Lord did more for me in his time of trial than I could ever have done for him. Sharing his burden so freely, openly, and honestly helped me to realize just how important we are to each other.

Finally, our love causes us to forgive one another without being asked! “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Mat.18:21, 22) When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother that sinned against him, the imperative was literally “without ceasing!” There is no end to our command to forgive! Are you telling me that I have to love like that? The answer is simple and as resounding as cymbals clashing together in the final act of the symphony of love “YES, YOU MUST!” It was that love that sent the Son from the heavenly palaces to earth and die for humanity (Joh.3:16, 17).

1Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”