Spirit #8 – How do I Grow the Fruit of Unconditional Love?

Workings of the Holy Spirit

Kaneohe Bay - courtesy Dean Williams 2012

Most people love from their feelings. As a result, we tend to reward or withhold love from others based on how we feel. Feelings ebb and flow like an ocean tide, so this type of love has conditions. A few of them might be:

• Agree with me. I have my opinions but you can’t tell me yours. Keep quiet about me, my work, my family, or my church. I’m not interested in getting things right because my need to be right is stronger;
• Prepare to be punished. If you make me angry, I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget. I’ll avoid you like the plague, treat you like an enemy, and talk stink about you behind your back. I might even (insert your own condition here);
• Lie to me. Your truth hurts. It hurts my feelings. I get angry. If you have to speak honestly, don’t do it around me. Go elsewhere.

Jesus said “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44-48 NIV). He could have meant North Korea, or even the Taliban.  Really?? Come on, Christians! We’ve got “enemies” among our families, friends, relatives, and neighbors’ right here—all just waiting for our love. But because our love is conditional, we make them wait forever.

Get perfect, Christian. Decide in your head—and not in your feelings—that you’re going to philĕō-love unconditionally. Then do it.

Over time, the Spirit’s fruit of agapē-love (Gal. 5:22 NIV) will emerge from the heart—constant, undisturbed, and impervious to others’ remarks.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scriptures marked “NIV” are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.