And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
I John 4:16
What does it look like to “live in love” … and how does that help us “live in God?”
Is it significant that love is the very first trait listed when Paul described the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22?
So many questions begin swirling when we ponder that word, love. In our before-Jesus life, we might have described it like a passionate teenager or an excitable child: I love pizza! I love music! I love Minecraft! But as we grow in Christ, we come to realize it is much more than a feeling, and requires more than an emotional response.
Love is often a choice. A commitment. When you and I choose to live in love, we are living in God. The result of doing so? We’ll be faced with some decisions that require self-sacrifice.
If the Spirit is producing fruit in my life, I may be prompted to:
- Change my schedule.
Today may be laundry day, but instead I may choose to have coffee with a hurting friend. - Study my family.
My child may need a little one-on-one time. Instead of pushing her to do Algebra homework or clean her room, maybe I need to take her out for ice cream. And how long has it been since you’ve set aside your to-do list in favor of a date night with your hubby? - Reconsider my commitments.
Have I filled my schedule with so many obligations, there’s no time to lovingly respond when needs arise with friends, neighbors, or my church family? Leaving time in our schedule provides flexibility to be available. - Pray over my motivations.
Have I signed up to do things out of guilt or obligation, rather than a Spirit-led prompting to obedience? - Have some difficult conversations.
In our roles as parents, grandparents, friends, leaders, teachers, or mentors, living in love might call for accountability, discipline, and correction. Galatians 6:1 prompts us to restore one another gently. - Make abiding in Him a daily priority.
If I’m living in God, it is imperative to live in His Word. He must fill me up so I can be ready to pour out. - Die to myself.
John 15:13 tells us there is no greater demonstration of love than to lay down one’s life. We may not be called to die physically, but at some point, every woman — whether a wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, or friend — will be called to die to herself spiritually, mentally, or emotionally. It’s a sign of maturity when we choose to do so.
As we grow and mature in Christ, love will begin to lead out, prompting changes in our words, attitudes, actions, motivations, and behaviors. Yielding more and more to God gives us both peace and purpose. Love begins to flow forth, transforming even our “good” moments (kind words, agreeable thoughts, virtuous acts) into something more: the natural result of living in God.
Are you living in God and in His love … or just camping out there occasionally?
How is God prompting you to live in love today?
Would you like to read and study along with us?
Visit our Downloads page for your own copy of our October bookmark…
and don’t forget the printable S.O.A.P. study guide!
When you see red, luscious fruit hanging from the branch, you know you’re looking at an apple tree. The same is true for peaches and every other fruit-producing plant. And, as followers of Jesus with the Spirit dwelling in us, the Fruit of the Spirit should also be evident in our lives.
This fall, we’ll be focusing on the nine traits that the apostle Paul identified as evidence of the Spirit’s influence in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, , gentleness, and self-control. During October and November, we’ll be writing out six verses for each of these nine traits.
As you write, we encourage you to prayerfully consider how the Holy Spirit is helping you to grow and mature in each of these areas. We invite you to watch this week’s devotional video, as Laura introduces our October bookmark, with its focus on the Fruit of the Spirit.
