The Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2
by Daniel Burton
In seeking to understand a concept, it is often helpful to look at what that particular concept is not. Culturally, it goes without saying that there are numerous definitions and expectations of what love is and what love looks like. Everyone’s various expectations of what love looks like pressures each person to reflect different core values. In seeking to allow the Holy Spirit to express the love of God as a fruit of our transformation, love must be expressed through all that we do. Furthermore, the opposite of this same love should be ignored and avoided at all cost. From a biblical perspective, most would assume that the opposite of love of hate. Yet, hate has passion in common with love. Furthermore, in other areas, believers are encouraged to hate what is evil, which is a command from God, who is love. Both exhibit passion. The passion is, albeit misdirected, but present none of the less. Instead, the opposite of love is fear. Biblical authors use the greek word “phobos” to depict the complete incompatibility of love. Fear is a paralytic that causes us to cower, hide, and freeze. Love, however, drives a person to intense action as the outpouring of an undeserved love that we have already received.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
A Paralyzing Fear
We have experienced fear at some point or another. The feeling, while it varies slightly for each person, remains largely similar for each person. Fear causes some people to freeze and hide. Others, to completely run from whatever situation challenges our standing and safety. Neither of these actions express the nature of God. Fear is a powerful paralytic that shoves us into a corner to hide from all interaction and challenge. It is a terror based on the consequences and repercussions of our actions. Without the presence of God, our actions condemn us and fear is a viable response. Humanity is sinful and fear or eternal punishment is worthy of being feared. Yet, fear is the opposite of the nature of God. God is love. And love is given to mankind through grace to drive us to move beyond our sin, to die to our sin nature, and step into a new life that is defined by the Holy Spirit’s renewal in our life.
When we exhibit fear, there is some aspect of what we are fearing or how we express it that lacks the influence of God in our lives. God did not intent for mankind to stay put or hide. When mankind sought to hide from God out of fear for what He would do to us for our sins, God sought out mankind to return him to a right standing with Him. By the grace of Jesus Christ, the gap between God and man had been repaired and the fear we may have in approaching a righteous God left by the powerful and sovereign Lord. Fear is driven out by the perfection and strength of Jesus Christ that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us.
An Expressed Love
Love, however, drives a person to action. Love is based in relationship and required two parties. Furthermore, there is something overpowering about true love. It drives a person to rush headfirst into danger in order to protect those that they love. 
However big the threat, there is no limit to what people will attempt to accomplish for the sake of love. Where fear would cause a person to cower, love drives a person to action. It expresses itself outward just as how God expressed His love for His people through the selfless act of sacrifice on the cross.
When the love of God is flowing through us, we express it through action. As John discusses the concept of love to the people, he mentions expressions as signs of its presence. God’s love overfills our soul and flow outward to all we come into contact with. Love must be expressed to reflect the one, true God. At no point is love intended to be kept to ourselves but is a gift from God that flows through us to those we come into contact with. A person who has experience the transformative nature of the Holy Spirit inside of them will naturally move from paralytic fear to having the courage to reach people with the love of God.
For more in this series, check out The Fruit of the Spirit
