Love in the Spirit Has Real Power
Most people talk about love like it’s just a feeling something that comes and goes depending on how life is going. But the Bible describes a different kind of love, one that doesn’t run out when people fail or situations get hard. In Colossians 1:8, Paul praised a group of believers for showing what he called “love in the Spirit.”
It’s not about being overly religious or emotional. It’s about having a love that’s steady, real, and alive because it’s powered by something greater than you God’s Spirit.
What “Love in the Spirit” Really Means
When Paul heard about the people in Colossae, he didn’t praise them for being successful or talented. He was grateful for something much deeper their love in the Spirit.
That phrase describes a kind of love that doesn’t come naturally. It’s a love that comes from God Himself a love that the Holy Spirit plants inside you. This love doesn’t depend on who deserves it. It flows from a changed heart.
Love in the Spirit is:
- Genuine, it doesn’t wear a mask or pretend.
- Selfless, it gives without keeping score.
- Steady, it stays when others walk away.
- Guided by God, it listens for His direction on who and how to love.
Paul wasn’t talking about soft feelings. He was describing a spiritual power a love that changes people, heals wounds, and bridges divides.
“The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5
Why This Kind of Love Matters
Let’s be honest, people are hurting. The world is full of division, anger, and short tempers. We scroll past pain daily and barely notice.
But love in the Spirit is the opposite of that. It’s not love that depends on comfort or convenience. It’s love that looks like compassion when you’d rather stay silent, forgiveness when you’ve been wronged, and mercy when you could easily judge.
This kind of love matters because it:
- Heals what bitterness breaks.
- Restores trust where there’s betrayal.
- Softens hearts hardened by pain.
- Shows others what God’s love really looks like.
That’s the kind of love that gets noticed. That’s the kind of love that changes communities.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
How to Live Out Love in the Spirit
You don’t have to be a perfect Christian, a preacher, or a church regular to experience love in the Spirit. This love is for anyone who’s willing to let God work through them.
Here’s how to start:
- Ask God to fill your heart with His Spirit.
Tell Him, “I can’t love like You do on my own.” Invite Him to change your heart. That’s where love in the Spirit begins.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10
- Start small.
Real love doesn’t always start big. It shows up in little moments a kind word, a patient response, a helping hand. Every time you choose to love when you don’t feel like it, that’s love in the Spirit at work. - Forgive freely.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest acts of love, but it’s also the most powerful. The Spirit helps you release pain instead of holding on to it. That’s what separates love in the Spirit from ordinary love. - Stay connected.
You can’t grow this kind of love alone. Find people who help you grow in faith and love. The early church thrived because they lived in community that’s still how love in the Spirit multiplies. - Live it out daily.
It’s easy to talk about love but harder to live it. The goal isn’t to “feel spiritual,” but to walk it out at work, in your family, and even with those who don’t like you.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love…” Galatians 5:22
When Love Feels Impossible
Sometimes, loving people is hard. Maybe you’ve been burned too many times. Maybe you’ve tried, and it only left you hurt. That’s when you need love in the Spirit the most.
This love doesn’t ignore pain it redeems it. It gives you strength to love again, not because people always deserve it, but because God gives you the power to.
When you let the Holy Spirit guide your heart, He begins to heal the parts of you that were too tired to care anymore.
The Change the World Needs
If our world is ever going to change, it won’t be through louder arguments or stronger opinions. It’ll be through people who walk in love in the Spirit — people whose compassion outshines their pride, whose kindness breaks down walls, and whose forgiveness confuses those who expect anger.
That’s what Paul saw in the Colossians. That’s what God still wants to see today. And it starts with one person at a time it starts with you.
The world has seen enough fake love. It’s time for something real.
Today, ask God to fill you with His presence and teach you how to live with love in the Spirit. Then put into practice one small act of kindness, one word of grace, one moment of forgiveness.
? This week, do one thing that costs you something.
Give your time, your attention, or your forgiveness not because someone earned it, but because the Spirit of God gave you love to share.
You were made to show a love that the world can’t explain love in the Spirit that changes everything it touches.
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