Equipped to LOVE
I have recently attended a social event and as all such gatherings usually go, there are those many conversations you find yourself in the middle of. Some, fruitless and merry while others that really catch your attention.
In my case it was a mother, confessing her struggles of constantly catching herself acting out in anger towards her children when under the weather of the daily demands of motherhood. What really broke her heart was that a child kept track and reported to her how long it has been since her last outburst. Since, she had made a commitment to herself that she needed to change for the sake of her children.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that even though this mother-child type of love is one of the strongest forces, or acts of love we can naturally inherit or possess, it is still not sufficient.
In other words, often we in ourselves don’t even have the ability to produce the love, patience, gentleness etc. necessary to cover the faults of those we claim are dearest and closest to us. Yet strangely enough as believers we are called to love beyond the confines of our home, and even those called our enemies.
One thing certain, God never expects from us to do what he has not equipped us to complete. And with further study, I realized that Love is in fact a fruit of the spirit. Meaning, it is the result of spiritual growth and maturity…
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Gal. 5:22 NLT)
…not something your carnal/ fleshly nature can produce on its own. In other words, this mother can attempt to be on her best behavior, in her own strength, and it will be a constant up and down battle. Or, she can grow spiritually and allow the Holy Spirit produce Love that will come naturally with minimal effort applied.
We have already recognized through previous posts that spiritual growth comes from consistently spending time with Jesus and in his word. A daily commitment on your part. First, you learn to hear what he says for you that day, and then eventually you learn to hear and do what he says. (see Experience Him post)
This daily life of walking and obeying the word produces gradual, steady, spiritual growth. Christ modeled this lifestyle while he lived here on earth. He made it a point to spend time in solitude with the father. The more time he spent with the father, the more he grew to be like the father. Likewise, the more time we spend in the word, the more we become what it says. The word will give you daily step by step commands (baby steps) to keep and follow out of the word. As you obey those daily instructions (commands) you grow.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (John 15:10 NIV)
This daily listening and obeying also results in no longer living by what you naturally are accustomed to doing (your carnal nature). But choosing to live by what you’re commanded to do (the spiritual nature). Eventually, this walk of life produces fruit. Specifically, fruit we have previously identified as fruits of the spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
Our Lord wants to give us continuous instruction out of His word; continuous instruction turns hearers into disciples.
-Wisdom from Oswald Chambers
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.(Ps. 119:57 KJV)
…a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:… (Ps 111:10)
... but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last (John 15:16)
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Rom.8:14 NIV)
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