This week, Executive Pastor of Education, Bill Search, kicked off our new series, Fruit of the Spirit—nine characteristics displaying spiritual maturity as highlighted in the book of Galatians.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23.
The first fruit is “love.” This kind of love is translated from the Greek word agape. This love is the kind of love God has for us, and it is borne in us when we abide in him. As Bill said in his message, one definition of love is the “willful, whole- hearted expression that honestly wants what is best for another”—engaging both your mind and your heart. God’s very nature is love.