What is the one characteristic of those who you like to hang out with? What character trait makes you want to spend time with them? The answer can usually be summed up in one concept. They are people who love you and show you that love. In that love you feel accepted and valued and wanted. 

This is why Paul introduces the Fruit of the Spirit discussion with these words: For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:14. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is the second greatest command behind loving the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul and all our strength.” Love of others is the single greatest obligation we have as Christ followers because it is who God is and it is how He has loved us.

Now Paul is writing to the congregation of the Galatians. And even among them and, for that matter, among us there are times when rather than love one another we, in his words, “destroy one another.” What destroys others? Gossip, unkind words, judgemental attitudes, envy, critical spirits, or as Paul says, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Ouch. Even among God’s people, but it doesn’t need to be that way. It should not be that way. 

To love others is to want the very best for them. In fact, it is to want for them what we would want for ourselves. Love is a choice that we make to extend to others the very attitude that Jesus extends to us. It is the most countercultural and radical thing we can do in a world that is obsessed with self and self interest. It is a choice to see and treat others as Jesus sees and treats us.

Here is something to consider. In John 10:10, Jesus contrasts His character with Satan's character. He says this, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The thief or Satan wants to rob us and diminish us and hurt us while Jesus came to give us life and fullness of life. Here is what is interesting. In every interaction and relationship we have we either give life like Jesus or rob life like Satan. The deciding factor is whether we are demonstrating love or selfishness because love always gives life.

Here is the thing about love. It is easy with those we naturally like and hang out with. It is harder when it involves people that irritate us. Yet Jesus does not differentiate between the two. Our posture toward people is to be one of love and concern. To love is to make ourselves vulnerable, to hurt as Jesus did in His earthly existence. Sometimes the most painful situations are those when we show love to people who don’t respond in love. 

One of the tragedies of life today is that there are so many things that divide us. Politics, race, and ironically, even theology. We have elevated so many things above Jesus and the Gospel that things that should not divide do and relationships that should not be broken often are. We don’t have to agree with someone to show them love. They don’t need to live up to our standards to love them. Loving actions, attitudes, and words are a decision that we make because Jesus calls us to love one another.

What does that love look like? Paul gives us a definition in 1 Corinthians 13. Think about someone who is hard to love as you listen to this definition. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 

The only way to live with that kind of love is to access the help and power of the Holy Spirit. But remember, this is one of the fruits of the Spirit. The Spirit is the key to living with love. Through the help of the Spirit we can live