It is important to mention that the fruit of the Spirit is also the presentation of the character of God. Some people have a wrong view of God. They think that God is mean and unjust. They blame God for every bad thing that happened in their lives, but no matter how they feel about God, God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As this is the demonstration of God's character, God wants us to live according to His character. And this is the reason that when we are growing in our relationship with the Lord, the fruit of the Spirit starts to shine in our lives.
The first fruit that is mentioned is love. Love is the very foundation of everything. The two greatest commands of God is based on love. In Matthew 22:34-40, it says, "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” The moment we genuinely believe in our Lord Jesus, our lives start to change. The Spirit of God begins to reveal God to us through His Word, and as we get to know the goodness of God in our lives, we start to love Him. And the more we love God, the more we begin to love others.
Our love for God and other people is the sign that we are growing in our relationship with God. Some people think that Christianity is like other religions that have a bunch of rules to follow to please God. However, true Christianity is about a relationship between people who believe in the Lord Jesus and God. It is a blessing that we have a love relationship with God because there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. Look what it says in Romans 8:38-39, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ask yourself these questions: What is the first fruit that is mentioned on the list of the fruit of the Spirit? What are the two greatest commandments? Do I love God and others? What is the sign that I am growing in my relationship with the Lord?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for showing me how much you love me. Thank you for all your goodness in my life. As you continue to teach me your ways, please help me to love you back with my actions and words. And as I grow in loving you, please continue to teach me to love others. Please help me with (mention your prayer requests). In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.