Let's look at these virtues in-depth to determine how to cultivate them.
Love is a commandment. John15:12 NKJV
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
Christians are to love people the way Jesus loves us, not necessarily as they love us. Christians are to love one another. This love is not just for husbands and wives; it extends to parents, children, siblings, pastors, and congregations.
Love is not emotional; it is not based on feelings. This is why many people fall out of love. Human emotions and feelings are never stable; current events, situations, circumstances, and hormonal changes influence them. Therefore, any love based on these unstable factors will also be unstable.
Seeking or expressing love based on emotions leads to instability. For example, imagine a church scenario. You may feel loved and appreciate the church by attending an uplifting service—great music, friendly people, and an enjoyable atmosphere. However, we know that this positive experience might not always repeat itself. The next time you visit, you may feel unloved if things do not go well, if someone offends you or if you feel neglected due to a lack of communication when you were unwell. As a result, you might not return to church the following week. This cycle of emotional responses illustrates the instability of love based solely on feelings.
The solution to instability in all crucial relationships—specifically with God, marriages, and family members—is to understand that love is not merely a feeling but a sacrifice. Regardless of whether the circumstances are good or bad, we are determined to keep loving, irrespective of our feelings, because love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:8).
So, what is love? Love is an act of will. It is an intentional choice and a fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in willing children of God who strive to walk in love.
Love is a covenant with God to give oneself sacrificially for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return. Ruth exemplified this by giving herself to Naomi without considering personal reward (Ruth 1:16-17). True love is the willing, sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another.
John 21:15-17 NLT
After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you." "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said. A third time, he asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep."
Therefore, love is a sacrifice; it involves giving up something valued for something more meaningful, worthy, and urgent. I can only begin to act in love when I consider others more important and worthy and their needs more urgent than mine. Sacrificing for them means putting others before myself—that is love.
Love is the willing, sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another without any thought of return, as illustrated in John 3:16. In Luke 6:35-36, Jesus teaches us about love. Love can involve death, pain, and suffering initially, but ultimately, there comes a reward.
Luke 6:35-36 (NLT) states: "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your father is compassionate."
Joy refers to feeling gladness in the heart and a deep sense of pleasure.
Peace is the quiet tranquillity of mind, free from worry and fear, agitating passions, and moral conflict. It represents freedom from or the cessation of war and encompasses mental calmness.
Long Suffering = Patience: ** It's not a quick fix (like using a microwave). Being patient does not mean being in distress but being calm and patient with others.
**What is Patience? ** It involves bearing provocation patiently, without complaint or annoyance; it is essentially endurance.
Patience means quietly enduring injury, provocation, annoyance, pain, etc., without expressing complaint or anger.
**How Do I Develop Patience? **
James 1:2-4 (NLT) states:
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy, for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
Kindness is characterised by being gentle and considerate in both behaviour and manner towards others.
Goodness refers to the quality of being morally good or virtuous. It encompasses traits such as virtue, excellent character, and generosity.
Virtue is moral excellence. Avoid gossiping, backbiting, lying, and belittling others. Instead, praise and recommend others positively. Focus on their strengths, not their weaknesses, and pray for them to be transformed into strengths.
Faithfulness means dependability. According to 1 Corinthians 4:2, stewards must be found faithful. As stewards of God's resources—our time, money, people, and talents—we must faithfully serve others.
Gentleness, humility, and meekness represent power under control. Courtesy, respect, and consideration are essential in my relationships with others. Leaders should never exercise their power for destructive purposes.
Humility is important. Every day, we witness people taking advantage of situations to get ahead or make themselves appear better, but such behaviour is unhelpful. A humble person does not boast or try to impress others. They are typically quiet, modest, and not self-serving.
Humbleness involves recognising one's worth, avoiding pride, disregarding the truth, and underestimating others. A humble person understands their importance and significance but is cautious about seeking notoriety or becoming overly prominent among peers. It is essential to remain humble in the company of friends.
When competition and envy arise among companions and rivals, a person may feel superior to others. They might enjoy harming their peers, degrading their value, accusing them of flaws, or exaggerating their faults. These shortcomings may emerge when seeking advice or correction.
Self-control is the ability to harness and manage your passions and desires. It involves stopping oneself from getting angry, shouting, or feeling agitated. We need to control our habits, recognising that just because something is sweet does not mean we should indulge in it completely.
1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (NLT) states: "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'—but not everything is good for you. Even though 'I am allowed to do anything,' I must not become a slave to anything. You say, 'Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.' This is true, although someday God will do away with both. However, you cannot say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies."
Many look for certain qualities, or "fruits," in others. However, I realise that God expects us to demonstrate these qualities ourselves. For instance, we may seek kindness from others when we should be showing kindness.
In conclusion, God saved us so that we may be transformed into the image of His Son, as stated in Romans 8:28-30. This image of God was marred by sin, and ever since, God has been working to restore us to that original image, which was damaged, as referenced in Genesis 1:26 and 3:1 to the end.
As we cultivate the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—we become more like Christ, reflecting His character and living a life that is both fulfilling and a powerful witness to others.
