Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13, Genesis 2:16, Psalm 1:3, Proverbs 11:30, Matthew 7:20, John 15:5, 13:35, Galatians 5:22-23

Did you ever wonder why love is the first Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians? Perhaps it is because without love, you'll not be able to bear other qualities of Fruit on a consistent basis. So much flows from love. In fact, love is so important that Jesus Himself told a rich man that everything in the Old Testament could be summarized in the word love (as in, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself"). In this message, Dr. Merritt unpacks the New Testament value of love. If you think you are a really loving person, a loving husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister--get ready for a love checkup. See how your love measures up to what the Bible says real love looks like.

"Where we get so impressed with spiritual gifts, God is more impressed with spiritual fruit. Where we are so impressed with what people do, God is more impressed with why people do it. The real mark of a real Christ-follower is not activity, but affection. Everything you do for the church, for your family, for friends and even for your boss should be motivated out of love. Love for God so you want to do your best and be your best and love for others so they can see you at your best. If you want to be tasty to other people you make sure that all you do is motivated by love." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: Fruit of the Spirit, tasty, love, affection, expression, patient, kind, envy, pride, proud, rude, self-seeking, anger, forgiving, rejoicing, truth, bear, hope, endure, panta, suffering