LOVE
We must submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit daily so He works in us to love God’s way. That’s the only way to love and be joyful in spite of the receiver’s attitude.
“If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all His mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.”
-1 Corinthians 13 (MSG)
PEACE
Life is full of beauty and excellence and the expectation of God our Father and Creator is that we should have peace to enjoy the beauty of His creation. However, in a generation where peace is a scarce commodity and where there are loads of worries, you must make Jesus your focus and let Him through the Holy Spirit deliver you out of the rough times and usher in the peace which surpasses all human understanding. His peace will resolve all conflicts and ensure you enjoy freedom from all your fears.
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
-Colossians 3:15-17 (MSG)
PATIENCE
It is often said that “patience is a virtue”. The ability to persevere and endure difficult circumstances is not commonplace in our society currently, but in the midst of provocations, hardships, delays and whatever strain we may go through, total dependence on Jesus and the realisation that God is omnipotent helps us imbibe the virtue of patience to remain faithful and forebear under strain till deliverance and victory is achieved.
“Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch His breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”
-Isaiah 40: 27-31 (MSG)
KINDNESS
In a culture that underscores self, it’s anything but difficult to dismiss the critical job that Kindness plays. Alongside cherishing others comes the Christian rule of thinking about them — and of being compassionate. From helping poor people and those in need to holding the entryway for somebody, consideration is straightforward. It’s one of the signs of a Christ-filled heart.
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. From helping the poor and those in need to holding the door for someone, kindness is simple. It’s one of the hallmarks of a Christ-filled heart.”
-Colossians 3:12-17 (MSG)
GOODNESS
Goodness is yet another of the Christian values worthy of our consideration. Being good certainly ties in with being kind, and from a faith perspective these values go hand-in-hand. Goodness is one of the Christian values that changes both the person expressing it as well as the people he or she interacts with.
“When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”
-Matthew 26:40-41 (MSG)
