“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)

Love conquers all. Love wins. But first, love.

All of these sayings have circled culture the past couple of years, emphasizing the definition of love and how it trumps all.

But what’s the importance of love?

Well, this is when we can turn to Scripture.

Most of us can jump to the passage that is read at almost any wedding.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

It is a very quotable verse and it is printed on so much home decor that it is almost a guarantee to see this sign at any home.

But what about the rest of what Scripture says?

“Love binds us in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)

“Love covers all wrongs.” Proverbs (10:12)

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

God is love. 1 John 4:19 says that we love because He first loved us.

Did you get that?

We are able to know love because God allowed us to. Our love is meaningless unless God is involved because God is love.

God and love only exist together in harmony. God is love. To know true love is to know a bit of God’s character.

We are able to love others and God because He first loved us. To tie back into the theme of these devotionals, Fruit of the Spirit, we can understand that love is a fruit that flows out of us from the spirit of God within us.

So when we go out and love our neighbors, we can acknowledge that we are able to love because God first loved us and that it is the spirit of God flowing from us when we love.

Read more inspirational devotionals by checking out our past blog posts.