Part 1: Love

Refresh: what the world needs now

PART 1

“...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6b (NIV)

1. HOW DO YOU CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL FRUIT?

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV)

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (NIV)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like…” Galatians 5:19-21a (NIV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

2. BEARING FRUIT IS NOT ABOUT TRYING HARDER, IT IS ABOUT HEART CHANGE.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV)

3. YOU CAN’T SHOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW PERSONALLY.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV)

• Hesed - loving-kindness, to cling, commitment. 

• God’s love is not just talk, it is experienced.

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS: 

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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

• YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
  “The Fruit of the Spirit: Love” (3 days)  

• Blog and Podcast: “The Two Ways to Live Your Life”