Known by Their Fruit: Love

Matthew 7:16-20: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them".

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

I have a confession to make—I’ve become a bit of a Bible nerd. The more I dig into Scripture, the more I’m fascinated by its depth. Studying the culture, context, and even the Greek and Hebrew words behind the text has completely changed the way I see God’s Word. It’s like discovering treasures I didn’t even know were there, and it’s made me fall in love with the Bible all over again.

That’s why I’m so excited to kick off a new series on the Fruit of the Spirit. These nine characteristics—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are so much more than a checklist of behaviors. They’re evidence of God’s work in us, transforming us into the image of Christ.

I’m looking forward to diving deeper into each fruit in this series, unpacking their meanings, and exploring how they shape our lives and relationships. My prayer is that we’ll all be inspired to grow in these areas as we learn more about God’s incredible love for us. Let’s get nerdy about the Bible together—you in?

So, let’s talk about love, but not just any love. This isn’t rom-com, rose-petals-and-rainbows kind of love. This is agape love—the first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22, and trust me, it’s not for the faint-hearted. In Greek, agape means a deep, self-sacrificial, “I’m gonna love you even if you drive me up the wall” kind of love. It’s steady and selfless, and it’s the unmistakable mark of someone whose life has been touched by God. In fact, Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). And no, He didn’t say they’d know us by our snappy Bible-verse comebacks or how many church committees we’re on. Just love.

Now, if you’re anything like me, “love everyone” sounds great in theory… until you actually have to do it. Loving people—especially people who test every ounce of your patience—can feel about as natural as hugging a cactus. And yet, agape love is what we’re called to, not the “I’ll love you if you’re lovable” type of love, but the “I’ll love you no matter what” kind. Basically, Jesus is saying, “If you’re following Me, you’re gonna have to be less of an inpatient jerk.”

What Agape Love Actually Looks Like (Hint: It’s Not About You) Agape love is different from what the world calls love. It’s a choice to put others first, even if they drive you up the wall. Paul describes it perfectly in 1 Corinthians 13:7 when he says that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Translation? This is the kind of love that sticks around when things get messy, even if you’d rather be watching Netflix and ignoring the drama.

It’s the “I’ll be there even when it’s inconvenient” kind of love. It’s forgiving, patient, kind, and doesn’t keep score. And yes, I know what you’re thinking: this sounds exhausting. But it’s also the kind of love that changes lives—starting with ours.

Growing in Agape Love. The thing about love as a fruit of the Spirit is that it’s not something we can just wake up one morning and decide to master (believe me, I’ve tried). It’s grown in us by the Holy Spirit, and like any fruit, it takes time to mature. Here are a few ways I’m learning to grow in love—and maybe you can try them too:

1. Stay Connected to the Source: Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me… you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5). Translation: spend time with God, or you’re just going to end up a dried-out, prickly branch.

2. Start Small: Agape love doesn’t have to mean big, heroic gestures. Sometimes it looks like biting your tongue, offering a compliment, or forgiving even when you don’t want to. Basically, less eye-rolling and more grace-giving.

3. Pray for Softness: We all have that one person who tests our agape limits. Ask God to soften your heart for them. (Yes, I know—easier said than done.)

4. Be Patient with Yourself: Fruit doesn’t grow overnight. This love thing takes time, so give yourself grace. Think of it as going from cactus to… slightly softer cactus. Progress!

The World Will Know Us by Our…Love?

Here’s the thing: we’re not called to show off our theology degrees or perfect Sunday School attendance. When we love with agape love, people see something different in us—a love that isn’t self-serving, a love that points to Christ. This is the kind of love that’s real, raw, and leaves people saying, “I want what they have.” And that’s what it’s all about, right?

May we be known not by our words alone, but by the way we live out a love that only God could give. Because when we do, we’re living proof that Jesus changes lives, one “agape” moment at a time.