The Fruit Of The Spirit
By Sandy Simpson

Lesson 1 - Love
Lesson 2 - Joy
Lesson 3 - Peace
Lesson 4 - Patience
Lesson 5 - Kindness
Lesson 6 - Goodness
Lesson 7 - Faithfulness
Lesson 8 - Gentleness
Lesson 9 - Self-control

LESSON 1 - LOVE

Love Examples In The Bible

There are many people who give us a great example of love in the Bible.  Ruth teaches us love in her relationship to Naomi and Boaz. Naomi's husband died as well as her two sons, one of whom was married to Ruth who was a Moabite.  Naomi decided to go back to Israel as it was no longer having a famine.  She asked her two daughter-in-laws to go with her, but then gave them the opportunity to stay in Moab.  But Ruth clung to Naomi. 

Ru 1:16   But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Though Ruth was a Moabite and Naomi a Hebrew, Ruth was willing to give up her homeland to go with Naomi whom she loved.  We learn four things from Ruth.  (1) Love follows. (2) Love abides. (3) Love is fellowship. (4) Love is faithfulness till death.

When they went back to Naomi's homeland of Israel, Naomi sent Ruth to glean wheat in the fields of Boaz.  Boaz noticed her and later found out Naomi had sent her.  Boaz was their kinsman-redeemer.  Naomi told Ruth to go lay at Boaz feet and in so doing Ruth showed her love for Naomi and for Boaz as this was a pledge to become the wife of Boaz.  Boaz really felt that love because Ruth had not run after younger men.

Ruth 3: 9-11   "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

So we can see from the story of Ruth that love means obedience.  If you love someone you will do what they ask.  You will go wherever they go, perhaps not always in body, but in spirit and in prayer.

When we talk of love we also think of the story of Jonathan, son of Saul, and David.  The Bible says that Jonathan loved David.

1 Sam. 17:57-18:4   As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him

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