"The First Fruit, Love" Devotional

Welcome to this devotional based on LMA Episode 3, “The First Fruit, Love”. In this time of reflection, we briefly reintroduce the fruit of the Spirit and while focusing on the very first fruit, love. As you engage with these questions and scriptures, we encourage you to have a journal and your Bible handy! There are sentence stems below to support you in your processing if needed.

Experiencing and replicating the love of God

Reflect on 1 John 4:7-21.

Verse 9 states that “the love of God was made manifest that He sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him”.

Ask yourself: How are you currently living through Christ and allowing His love to permeate in your life?

Verse 19 states: “we love because He first loved us.”

Ask yourself: Is your love for others a byproduct of the love you have received from the Father?

Take a moment to thank Him for His love.

Defining and refining our love for others.

Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Reflect on the characteristics of love that are listed, are they consistent with the way you’ve viewed love prior to this reflection?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways your love for others can be refined and thank Him for teaching you to love others.

Loving God Through Obedience

Jesus says “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Take a moment and write down areas in which you seek to obey God. There are plenty of areas in which, as His followers, we are called to obey God. Once you’ve written them down, pray over this list and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you as you walk in true obedience and love for your Heavenly Father.

Let Your Life Be Proof of His Love

There’s a beautiful song by the known band, FOR KING + COUNTRY, called “The Proof of Your Love”. These specific lyrics are a cry to the Lord:

“So let my life be the proof, the proof of your love

Let my love look like you, and what you're made of”

Jesus states that people will KNOW that we are His disciples if we showcase the same love that He has shown to us. (John 13:34-35)

Proclaim this truth over your life: “My life will be the proof of the love of Christ as The Father is glorified through this.”

Closing Question & Prayer

“How our life more abundant when carry or are impacted by the fruit of love?”

In your own words, say a prayer to the Lord. Thank Him for who He is, for His love, for His invitation to love Him and others, and ask Him how that looks like.

God bless, my friend.

Scripture Reference

Galatians 5:22-23 (Timestamp- 2:33)

1 John 4:7-19 (Timestamp- 4:14)

Psalm 23:6 (Timestamp- 8:33)

John 15:1-5 (Timestamp- 10:16)

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Timestamp- 14:40)

1 Corinthians 13:13 (Timestamp- 15:37)

1 Corinthians 13:1 (Timestamp- 18:04)

John 13:34-45 (Timestamp- 23:07)

The Beatitudes *Matthew 5-6*(Timestamp- 25:19)

2 Corinthians 12:9 (Timestamp- 31:21)

Matthew 16:24 (Timestamp- 33:10)

Genesis 1:26-27 (Timestamp- 37:06)

Matthew 7:11 (Timestamp- 38:32)

Matthew 22:34-40 (Timestamp- 40ish)

1 John 4:18 (Timestamp- 44:10)

Romans 8:31-39 (Timestamp- 48:58)

John 1:3 (Timestamp- 53:21)

Matthew 6:24 (Timestamp- 54:35)

Romans 8:6 (Timestamp- 55:08)

Ephesians 6:12 (Timestamp- 55:11)