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Jesus spoke clearly in the parable of the seed and the sower that faith begins with the Word of God being planted in the heart. Like any seed its purpose is to germinate and grow until, in turn, it becomes fruitful.

Modern agronomy confirms that this process requires a combination of factors, some of which are more beneficial to the goal than others. Light, nutrition and moisture must all be present. For a good start the young plant must be appropriately fed and watered with the uptake of these elements being the role of the roots. Hence, if the God of love is to dwell in the cleansed hearts of believers, the roots of the faith must be grounded in love.

Whatever the roots draw into the plant body influence its fruit production. It is not sufficient to cognitively comprehend the love of Christ, it must also be felt. Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

When faith is fed by Holy love, it produces praise and worship plus brotherly or ‘philial’ love. Together, the golden fruit is produced – Love God above all else and your neighbour as yourself.

Both types are required as fruit from the tree of faith. History, reflected in our current time, shows that, even if there is love for God, mankind has more difficultly loving our fellow man. John saw the futility of only loving God. 1 John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

As a fruit of faith, love shown to others is a sign of that faith being rooted in Christ’s love. It reflects His example of compassion and provision shown to all He met.

Apostle Paul referred this ‘agape’ love as the greatest of gifts. All other blessings became diminished when love was not present. 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

It is beneficial for us to reflect occasionally on how the love of Christ to us, is nourishing our life and interactions with others. Colossians 2:6-7, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”