And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

The cool air and the colorful leaves signal the end of another harvest season. The fruits of the harvest season have been gathered, the vines and branches now become silent, and the earth prepares for the quiet rest of winter. During this time of winter quiescence, the roots are resting, but ready for the opportunity to expand their root systems in search of water and nutrients in advance of spring bud break. The rest and readiness of the roots are vital to the fruit that will bear forth in the next harvest season. The scripture passage illustrates to us the greatest fruit of Christian living is love. Of all the things one can think of or relate to in Christian living “the greatest of these is love.” Love is the natural produce of eternal life in Jesus Christ. The “fruit of the Spirit” begins with love (Gal 5:22). As the seeds of God’s word are sowed in the life of the child of God, the Holy Spirit roots Himself within for the sap of God’s love to rise from the seedling roots to produce fruit that will nurture the starving hearts of man. The fruit of love is of the work of Jesus that He produces through the life and obedience of the child of God. “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). It is the greatest desire of Jesus that His children be “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17). Dear friend, break the harden soil of your heart and cleanse the things that choke out the roots of God’s word and hinder the sap that flows from His love. Dear friend, does your life seem like it’s going through a winter season? Does coldness surround your life and does unforgiveness, bitterness, loneliness, and pain chill your heart. Do you desire feel the warmth and the sunshine of God’s love? Humble yourself and open your heart to God then you will know that “the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart and…contrite spirit” (Ps 34:18). My friend, the total package of the Spirit filled life for the child of God is that “faith, hope, and love” abide within, “but the greatest of these is love.” Jesus promises that “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you…and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7) and you will know the eternal flow of His love. Father thank You for Your love that abides and flows from Immanuel’s veins. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.