By Kevin R. Rutherford
The New Testament lists some qualities that need to be seen in every Christian. Consider
the lists below and check them against your character to see what you need to add, or what you
need to improve.
Romans 12:9-21
1. Love
2. Kindness
3. Diligence
4. Fervent in spirit
5. Serving the Lord
6. Rejoicing in hope
7. Patient in tribulation
8. Steadfast in prayer
9. Given to hospitality
10. Peaceful
Galatians 5:22-23
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Long-suffering
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Gentleness
8. Self-Control
Ephesians 4:2
1. Lowliness
2. Gentleness
3. Long-suffering
4. Love
Colossians 3:12-14
1. Tender Mercy
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Meekness
5. Long-suffering
6. Bearing with one another
7. Forgiving one another
8. Above all these things is Love
2 Peter 1:5-11
1. Virtue
2. Knowledge
3. Self-control
4. Perseverance
5. Godliness
6. Brotherly Kindness
7. Love
Perhaps you noticed there is one characteristic that appears in all of five of these lists. That quality is love. Love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails [ceases, ends].” Love will still be important when faith an hope have been fulfilled (1 Corinthians 13:13). Sincere, fervent, and pure love of the brethren is seen in those who are truly converted to Christ (1Peter 1:22-23). We must love one another to pass from death to life (1 John 3:14). We must love one another to have eternal life (1 John 3:15). We must love one another in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). We must love one another to be of the truth (1 John 3:19). We must love one another to have our prayers answered by God (1 John 3:20-23). We must love one another to have our prayers answered by God (1 John 3:20-23). We must love one another because God loved each of our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to die for them (1 John 4:7-11).
The New Testament lists some qualities that need to be seen in every Christian. Consider
the lists below and check them against your character to see what you need to add, or what you
need to improve.
Romans 12:9-21
1. Love
2. Kindness
3. Diligence
4. Fervent in spirit
5. Serving the Lord
6. Rejoicing in hope
7. Patient in tribulation
8. Steadfast in prayer
9. Given to hospitality
10. Peaceful
Galatians 5:22-23
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Long-suffering
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Gentleness
8. Self-Control
Ephesians 4:2
1. Lowliness
2. Gentleness
3. Long-suffering
4. Love
Colossians 3:12-14
1. Tender Mercy
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Meekness
5. Long-suffering
6. Bearing with one another
7. Forgiving one another
8. Above all these things is Love
2 Peter 1:5-11
1. Virtue
2. Knowledge
3. Self-control
4. Perseverance
5. Godliness
6. Brotherly Kindness
7. Love
Perhaps you noticed there is one characteristic that appears in all of five of these lists. That quality is love. Love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails [ceases, ends].” Love will still be important when faith an hope have been fulfilled (1 Corinthians 13:13). Sincere, fervent, and pure love of the brethren is seen in those who are truly converted to Christ (1Peter 1:22-23). We must love one another to pass from death to life (1 John 3:14). We must love one another to have eternal life (1 John 3:15). We must love one another in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). We must love one another to be of the truth (1 John 3:19). We must love one another to have our prayers answered by God (1 John 3:20-23). We must love one another to have our prayers answered by God (1 John 3:20-23). We must love one another because God loved each of our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to die for them (1 John 4:7-11).
- Kevin V. Rutherford
preaches for the Warners Chapel church of Christ in
Clemmons, NC. He may be contacted through the congregation's
website: http://warnerschapelchurchofchrist.org/
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