Galatians 5:22-23 "Where is the Love?" with Pastor Michael Petit of Calvary Chapel Devine's weekly Devotion.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

I remember before Christ a song by the Black-Eyed Peas called  "Where is Love?" in the song there is a line that says "Can you practice what you are preaching'?", it is really true the church needs to start practicing what they preach, especially when it comes to love. We have seen so much divide in our nation but even in the church today. Love is what the followers of Christ are supposed to be known by, yet most are known by their political parties, social justice, or medical mandates issues.  The love being described in Galatians 5:22 as it speaks about  "Agape" love it is a love that gives and expects nothing in return. It is sacrificial Agape unconquerable love of Christ. Sacrificial love you can't do it in your flesh, but in the Holy Spirit.  ​Fruit of the Spirit meaning we walk in the Spirit. Fruit of the Spirit is Love, love doesn't parade itself love isn't puffed up. 
 
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  

Love is what we should be known by, but we get so wrapped in division of current events, social or political division and it bleeds into the church. Sadly we have many that have much knowledge of  theology and scripture but can not practically apply love in their marriage, family or even church. In the Book of John 13:35, Jesus reminds us to be His disciples, we must love one another. 

John 13:35 ESV
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 Jesus reminds us we can not do anything apart from him in the Book of John 15:5, Fruit doesn't grow over night. We need our dependence to be on Jesus. 
 
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
 
The Fruit of the Spirit is bond by love, but most of us are just clanging cymbals as we divide the church further and further, cause we speak not with love, you may have great knowledge and faith but without love it is nothing but noise. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Most of us know 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as wedding verses but the chapter is discussing the importance of agape love in our daily walks.  

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

What if you were to place your name where the word love (agape) is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7? Like Mike is patient and kind. I am? Mike does not envy or boast? Mike does not insist on its own way? Changes the way we look at that verse. Pastor Chuck Smith suggested that and I agree when I read it that way I realize Mike needs some work. Maybe I am that noisy clang or cymbal at times cause the love I express isn't from the fruit of the Spirit "Agape love". Maybe I expect something in return. You naturally only love those that love you back. Agape love allows you to love those that deserve love the least.  Jesus was asked about the great commandment and it is no surprise it dealt with love. 

Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.  After reading this scripture, have you totally surrendered your life to Love God and love one another?

So as a follower of Christ you have no excuse to not love. Lord provides all of us plenty of opportunity to practice love everyday. First, we are to Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind, love your neighbor, love your wife as Christ loved the church and even if your not getting along with your spouse, family member, friends or co-workers then love your enemies. No excuse. 

Just remember fruit trees take time to grow. Never came by a apple tree that produced fruit on day one. No, it's the natural byproduct over time, good soil, water and over time it produces fruit. Same with us we tend the soil and water it with the word of God, keep the weeds out (the world and sin) and we live in obedience to the Lord. We are to be an example of Love, but Agape Love. For believers the Apostle Paul gave Timothy some great wisdom in 1 Timothy 4. We are to be the example and as he list each thing love is listed, it is to be practiced in our daily relationship with the Lord. 

1 Timothy 4:11-12 Command and teach these things. [12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 

My prayer:
Lord please help us grow in obedience and that we would be known by our love for one another, our love for our neighbors, love for enemies and most of all to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. 

Amen 
​God Bless 
Michael Petit