Our study on “fruit bearing” continues. We now come to the part of our study where we learn what kind of fruit we should be bearing as a professing Christians. What is this fruit?

Before we discuss the fruit that we should be bearing, it must be clearly understood that we must have the Spirit of God, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22).

This is no ordinary kind of love. This is an “agapē” (the Greek word), divine love. We cannot know what real love is until we have that God-kind of love.

“Love” is one word that is used so loosely in our society today. We are quick to tell others that we love them without giving it a second thought.

What does the Word of God have to say to us about this amazing word? First we see the love of God towards mankind:

“For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16)

“But God commendeth his love toward us…” (Romans 5:8)

If the Almighty, Sovereign God, who created heaven and earth, loves us so much that He would give His only begotten Son to die on a cross for sinners, to bring us back into right fellowship with Him – how much more should we have this love for Him and for others?

It’s hard to love someone who has hurt you – isn’t it? But even so, the Word of God instructs us to do so:

“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)

We are also commanded to love and pray for our enemies:

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…” (Mat 5:44-45a)

When we bear this fruit of the Spirit, even toward those who hate, curse, and persecute us, we are showing forth that we are the Children of God; “for the tree is known by his fruit.”

God has much more to say about the fruit of love, “Husbands, love your wives…” (Ephesians 5:25). (See also 1 Corinthians 13.)

The Children of God are to serve one another in love.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

Our love is to abound in knowledge and judgment:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” (Philippians 1:9)

“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” (1Thessalonians 4:9)

And in closing, love must be real:

“Let love be without dissimulation…” (Romans 12:9)

When you have that “agape” kind of love, you can then know what true love is; it is unconditional. To bear this kind of fruit, you must have the Spirit of God abiding in you. Does this fruit grow on your tree? What is on Your Tree?