The fruit is beyond complete comprehension. We can know in part … but we will forever be leaning the depths of this … attribute / fruit of God. Obviously 1 Corinthians 13 is the main descriptor of this fruit in the scriptures. It is seemingly far beyond human capabilities, that’s why it is a FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT planted in us to have it’s work through us.
This fruit of love will take all eight fruit that are listed after it and more working in mature combination to manifest this fruit rightly in our lives. Agape – love is not like all the other Greek descriptor words of ‘love’. It is a …God-love. We often have a much smaller view and understanding of this attribute of God than it’s sum. Out of all the words the enemy has maligned, redefined, and tried to destroy — love is at the very top. Most don’t have a clue to the real nature of this fruit. To really know this fruit means to begin to understand God.
We’ve accepted SO many other descriptors of this fruit that we now call anything that makes us ‘feel good’ — love. Have you ever considered that justice is also love? Or judgment? Or correction? Or conviction? If you’re a parent you have begun to understand how some of these can be part of love. ‘Feeling good’ although nice, isn’t the main work / benefit of this fruit. To have Agape-love produced through you means you are in concert with God, with His plan, and heart.
Agape to me is still somewhat of a mystery. Of course I’ve experienced it … but I still have difficulty describing it effectively and rightly. Agape and it’s expansive nature is hard to explain… like God. Jesus describes the ultimate act of love in John 15:13. To give up your life for your friends. Of course there is the most quoted verse in the Bible John 3:16 when Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus the very nature of the spiritual life. God loves first – always. Truly understanding this … reverses every lie the enemy has tried from the beginning in the Garden to corrupt this very message of God to Mankind. The enemy has always tried to paint God as a tyrant mean Judge who just wants to hurt us. Obviously anyone who knows God knows this is a lie from the father of lies.
Love is …the ultimate inspiration.
Love is …creativity.
Love is …completeness.
Love is …the Kingdom.
Love is …Truth.
Love is …Father / Jesus / Holy Spirit.