"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

In 1 Corinthians 13:13, we are told that even faith and hope as virtues are still not greater than love. As the book, "Fruit" by Alabaster Bible Co states, "Every fruit of the Spirit is a good and beautiful expression of the person of God in us, yet love is elevated above the rest... Love is the vessel in which all of the other Fruits of the Spirit are held."

The Essence of Love

1 John 5:8 says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Love is a word we toss around casually, but its true essence is far from ordinary. Love, as described in the Bible, is agape love—and we begin to understand that kind of love as a verb instead of just feelings and emotions when we come to realize that God loved us first, and demonstrated that love through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. It's a love that seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return.

The Soil of the Heart

To cultivate the Fruit of Love, we must prepare the soil of our hearts. This involves letting go of bitterness, anger, and selfishness. We need to clear the weeds of resentment and pride so that the seeds of love can take root and flourish.

Imagine your heart as a garden. What kind of seeds are you planting? Are they seeds of love or seeds of discord? Are you nurturing the relationships in your life with kindness and compassion? The state of your heart's soil directly impacts the quality of the fruit it bears.

Nurturing Love

Nurturing love requires intentional effort. It means showing love not only to those who are easy to love but also to those who challenge us. It means forgiving those who have hurt us and extending a helping hand to those in need. Love is not passive; it's an active choice we make every day.

Love is not meant to be stored away in our hearts like a hidden treasure. It's meant to be shared and poured out into the lives of others. Love is a powerful force that has the capacity to heal wounds, bridge divides, and bring hope to the darkest of situations.

The Ripple Effect of Love

When we cultivate love, its impact goes beyond our immediate circle. Love has a ripple effect. It spreads like a pebble thrown into a still pond, touching the lives of those we encounter along our journey.

Think about the people who have profoundly impacted your life for the better. Chances are, they showed you love. They extended grace when you didn't deserve it, offered kindness when needed, and walked beside you through thick and thin. Their love left an indelible mark on your heart.

Bearing the Fruit of Love

Love is not a passive concept but a vibrant, life-changing force that should guide our actions and decisions. As we journey toward flourishing, may we learn to connect intimately with the Holy Spirit to bear the Fruit of love in abundance. Let’s tend to the garden of our hearts, removing the weeds of negativity and cultivating a fertile ground where love can thrive.

Question for reflection - How are you currently expressing agape love to others?

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