#BibleLesson Timeless Truths: A Love that Lasts - Check your love quotient

This is a follow up on the Fruit of the Spirit Series

Theme Verse

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.

Galatians 5:22-23

Healthy relationships are constantly growing.

The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of our relationship with God.

The fruit of the Spirit is not evidence of our God-gifts.

• Notice that fruit is singular in the verse.
• This is not a multiple-choice list.
• We need more of each quality.
• Some of the qualities are easier than others for each of us to exhibit.

God promises to complete His work in us . . . 

. . . We have to yield to the Holy Spirit for that to occur.

Last week recap:

God's concept of Love

1. Love is a matter of choice.

2. Love is a matter of conduct.

Choice + Conduct = Purpose

Check Your Love Quotient:

1. Love is alive when it has time and is dying when it is hurried and is dead when it cannot wait.

Love is patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each others' faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2

• Growth and change take time and require patience.

2. Love is alive when cares, is dying when it forgets and is dead when it ignores.

Love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

• Kindness is the ability to care in practical ways.
• Kindness means adapting when required.

3. Love is alive when it is secure, is dying when it starts doubting and is dead when it stops trusting.

Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

• We all need security in a relationship.
• God promises to stay with us for the long haul.

4. Love is alive when it is giving, is dying when it is exchanging and is dead when it is taking.

Love is not rude or self-seeking, love is not easily angered, love keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7

• The best relationships occur when both sides choose to give.
• Don't wait for the other person to give.

Sometimes love hurts. 

Love is dangerous . . . 

But love is worth the risk!

If this check of your love quotient showed that your love isn't alive in all areas, ask God to fill you with His love . . .

. . . because no one can truly love another without God's love in her/his heart.

Special thanks to Dr. Keith Newman for the primary teachings used in this post.

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