Galatians 5:22-23 King James Version… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Romans 12:9-10 King James Version… Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.
Introduction: To be ripe is to be ready for use. Ripeness means something has developed until it is prepared to fulfill its purpose.
Ripe life is about asking God to mature us until we are ready to be used by Him.
Transition: “But the fruit of the Spirit is…” Notice the fruit is singular. The Spirit is producing a whole life of love, that is expressing itself in healthy, helpful, and holy ways.
Exposition: Paul is talking about agape, which is love rooted in God’s character and committed to what is good.
-Ripe Love is Authentic
“Let love be without dissimulation” (hypocrisy)
-Ripe Love is Affectionate
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love”
-Ripe Love is Altruistic (selfless not selfish)
“In honor preferring one another”
Reference Philippians 2:5
Conclusion: The goal of Christianity is not merely becoming the best version of ourselves. The goal is becoming increasingly like Jesus Christ. Reference John 3:30
