Love: There is NO selfishness in love. Can others discern progress in love in my life?
Joy: There is no depression in love, for joy is the natural outcome of love. Christian joy is independent of circumstances and can cohabit with sorrow. Do others see me as a joyous person?
Peace: There is no anxiety in love. Am I making progress in the conquest of worry?
Patience: There is no impatience or irritability in love. "The strength of our love can be measured by the length of our patience." Am I more patient than I was three months ago?
Kindness: There is no abrasiveness in love for "love is kind." Am I developing a more kindly disposition?
Goodness: There is no depravity in love. Goodness is active benevolence. Am I visibly a better person than I was?
Faithfulness: There is no fickleness in love. Faithfulness has been described as the reliability that never gives up and never lets down. Am I making strides in dependability?
Meekness: There is no retaliation in love. Meekness is the antihesis of self-assertion. The meek person does not fight for his rights unless it involves interests of the kingdom's sake. Do I increasingly manifest a meek spirit?
Discipline: There is no laxness in love. "discipline is a virtue which consists in mastery of the appetites and passions, especially the sensual ones." Discipline is not the control of self by self - it is control by the Holy Spirit. Do others see me as a graciously disciplined person?
Spiritual Discipleship Principles of Following Christ for Every Believer
by: J. Oswald Sanders
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