In the Christian life, one thread stands out above all: love.
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”
1 John 3:14
John paints a clear picture here: Love is the litmus test of our faith. It’s the hallmark of a transformed heart. Our love for fellow believers and the world around us is the tangible evidence that we’ve moved from the realm of spiritual death into the glorious realm of eternal life (Colossians 1:13).
This truth aligns seamlessly with what we find in Galatians 5:22 – the fruit of the Spirit includes love, for it’s the foremost virtue that characterizes the life of a believer. Love for others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, is the most recognizable attribute we can possess.
Conversely, Galatians 5:19-21 defines a starkly different picture. Those who walk in the flesh, rather than the Spirit, exhibit qualities that are the antithesis of love – hatred, contentions, jealousies, and more. These are traits of spiritual death, signifying that one remains in the kingdom of darkness.
So, let us remember that love is not merely one of the many Christian virtues; it’s the essence of our faith. As we love, we reflect the life-giving transformation that Christ has brought to our hearts; by the work of the cross. It’s the assurance that we have indeed passed from death to life, proclaiming to the world that we are His disciples (John 13:35).
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