The First Fruit Of Servanthood Is Love

Dr. Zachary Tims, Jr.

The passage in Galatians 5:22-23 shows us exactly what God expects from his people in how we ought to treat one another, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…" Galatians 5:22-23.

The first and foremost Fruit of the Spirit is Love. Love is the rudimentary principle of the New Testament commandment illustrated by Jesus Christ, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind….And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matt 27:37-39.

And in John 13:33-34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Could the first fruit of Love be the characterizing factor that sets us apart from the unrighteous? Of course it is. Is there a reason why Jesus directed this statement to His disciples, the first original leaders of the New Testament church? I believe there is a reason.

The disciples were continually jockeying for position to get on Jesus’ highly esteemed good side, but he kindly rebuked this behavior telling them, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matt, 23:11. These disciples were His front-line leaders, Apostles, Elders, Ministers, Deacons, and administration staff.

The first principle of Servanthood is love.

We have to apply the Servanthood factor to how we respond to God’s people. The point is that leaders ought to be the first ones compelled to show a demonstration of the Fruit of the Spirit. They are the examples for the rest of the church. Clearly, servanthood is demonstrated in how we are to love one another with the Jesus kind of love.

Now since the Fruit of the Spirit is one whole concept of Christ-like character, the Apostle Paul encouraged the church in Galatia, to “walk in the Spirit” and then he gave them instructions on how to fulfill that mandate through the Fruit of the Spirit. Love is just the top surface that peels off multiple layers of joy, peace, patience, endurance, kindness, goodness, humility, self-control, and faith.

A gentle answer, a soft spoken word in season, sincere compassion to reach out to the hurting, a listening ear, intercession, and empathy is what shows God’s people the love they deserve from leaders.

That’s why I believe the first fruit of servanthood modeled in the Fruit of the Spirit and exemplified in how we demonstrate our love, “one for another.”