EXPOSITION:
Love is an integral component of the fruit of the Spirit. The apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Galatia contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are characteristics demonstrated by the carnal nature. The fruit of the Spirit are also the attributes and characteristics exhibited by the spiritual man through the enablement of the Holy Spirit. The believer is expected to say no to the deeds of the flesh and walk in the Spirit.
When Jesus was quizzed by the teachers of the law about the greatest commandment, He stated that love to God and love to your fellow neighbour. In talking about the fruit, the Bible says “Against such things there is no law.” From this we realize that one major law that God requires us to observe is to have love. With genuine love, all the other components of the fruit begin to fall in place. As believers, we must demonstrate unrivalled love for God through deepening our relationship with Him. We must love the things God loves and hate the things He hates. In addition, we must love our fellow human beings, even our enemies.