The fruit of the Spirit is love
William MacDonald teaches that the fruit of the Spirit, especially agape love, is a supernatural virtue produced by the Holy Spirit that calls believers to unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless love.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound nature of the fruit of the Spirit, focusing on agape love as the highest Christian virtue. He emphasizes that such love is supernatural, produced only by the Holy Spirit, and exemplified through unconditional and sacrificial actions. Through a powerful illustration of Dr. T. E. McCully’s love for those who killed his son, MacDonald challenges believers to embody this divine love in their own lives.
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“The fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Gal. 5:22)
The phrase “the fruit of the Spirit” teaches us at the outset that the virtues that follow can be produced only by the Holy Spirit. An unconverted man is incapable of manifesting any of these graces. Even a true believer is powerless to reproduce them by his own strength. So when we think of these graces, we must remember that they are supernatural and other-worldly.
The love spoken of here, for instance, is not the eros of passion, or the philia of friendship, or the storge of affection. It is agape love—the kind of love which God has shown to us and which He wants us to show to others.
Let me illustrate! Dr. T. E. McCully was the father of Ed McCully, one of the five young missionaries martyred by the Auca Indians in Ecuador. One night when Dr. McCully and I were on our knees together in Oak Park, Illinois, his thoughts went back to Ecuador and to the Curaray River that holds the secret of the whereabouts of Ed’s body. He prayed, “Lord, let me live long enough to see those fellows saved who killed our boys, that I may throw my arms around them and tell them I love them because they love my Christ.” When we arose I saw rivulets of tears zig-zagging down his cheeks.
God answered that prayer of love. Some of those Auca Indians later professed faith in Christ. Dr. McCully went to Ecuador, met these men who murdered his son, threw his arms around them, and told them he loved them because they loved his Christ.
That is agape love. It is impartial, seeking the highest good of all—the homely as well as the handsome, foes as well as friends. It is unconditional, asking for nothing in return for its constant giving. It is sacrificial, never minding the cost. It is unselfish, more concerned with the needs of others than its own. It is pure, free from any trace of impatience, envy, pride, vindictiveness or spite.
Love is the greatest virtue of the Christian life. Without it our noblest endeavors are worthless.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Source of the Fruit
- Produced only by the Holy Spirit
- Impossible for unconverted man to manifest
- Believers cannot produce by their own strength
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II. The Nature of Love
- Not eros, philia, or storge
- Agape love exemplified by God
- Unconditional, impartial, sacrificial, and pure
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III. Illustration of Agape Love
- Story of Dr. T. E. McCully and the Auca Indians
- Love shown to enemies who killed his son
- God’s answer through salvation and reconciliation
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IV. The Importance of Love
- Greatest virtue in Christian life
- Without love, all efforts are worthless
- Love reflects the character of Christ
Key Quotes
“The phrase the fruit of the Spirit teaches us at the outset that the virtues that follow can be produced only by the Holy Spirit.” — William MacDonald
“That is agape love. It is impartial, seeking the highest good of all—the homely as well as the handsome, foes as well as friends.” — William MacDonald
“Love is the greatest virtue of the Christian life. Without it our noblest endeavors are worthless.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate true Christian love in your life rather than your own efforts.
- Practice agape love by showing unconditional and sacrificial love even to those who may be difficult to love.
- Recognize that love is foundational and essential to all Christian service and spiritual growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit refers to the virtues produced in believers by the Holy Spirit, including love, joy, peace, and others.
What kind of love does the sermon focus on?
The sermon focuses on agape love, which is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless love exemplified by God.
Can believers produce the fruit of the Spirit on their own?
No, believers cannot produce these virtues by their own strength; they are supernatural and produced only by the Holy Spirit.
Why is love considered the greatest virtue?
Love is the greatest virtue because without it, all other Christian efforts and gifts are worthless.
How did Dr. McCully demonstrate agape love?
He prayed to love the men who killed his son and later embraced them after they came to faith in Christ.