"The Fruit of the Spirit

LOVE;

It's Always Been About Love

Galatians 5:13-26

Why "Fruit"? 

Through the Season of Lent this year we will reflect on the Fruit of the Spirit, drawing heavily from Paul's description in Galatians 5. Paul lists so many qualities and they are easily turned into a children's song and memorized - which is handy.

"...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

For many of us it might stop there. (It might even make a nice plaque for somewhere in our house.) 

But why does Paul talk about this at all - and why does he say it to the Galatians when he does? And what might this mean for the rest of us?

If we take his description seriously; really unpack it - does it reveal something rich about the work of God in our lives?

And why "fruit"?  The first attribute Paul names is "love".  Love is ... nice. 

Why does he lead with that? Does the order of the attributes matter?

The whole world talks about love. 

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love" We all want more love in our lives. We want people to be more loving. We probably try to be as loving as we can. But... what IS love? How do you know you are loved? 

How do you know you are being 'loving"?

We will make time each week in Lent to consider all the attributes Paul describes, in the context of a struggling little community of faith, that was trying to hold on to what was most important.

And why "fruit"?

Thanks

Joe