KEY SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:12 KJV “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;

 Meekness is the strength of love, and it makes very heavy burdens light. In Matthew 11:29, 30, the Lord Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls, For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” The Lord instructed that we must take His yoke. He added that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. How could the man who carried the sin, sicknesses and shame of all humanity on him, say all these is light? He says it is meekness that enabled Him to bear all these heavy, humanly impossible loads with such ease. He invites us to learn from Him, so we could find rest unto our souls.

 Meekness means emptying yourself of self, such that the Spirit takes over. There is no weight or burden you can’t bear when the Spirit takes over. The natural illustration is when a ship carries thousands of tons of goods, far heavier than itself, yet it does not sink. The ship has a hollow part at its base filled with air. Just as hollow balls floats on water, it works with the same principle. This creates an upthrust or a force from the water that keeps it floating, no matter the weight. Pride, the opposite of meekness is to be filled with yourself. With the above explanation a proud man would just sink. One sign a man is proud is that, he has no rest for his soul. You bear every load yourself. Psalms 17:10 KJV They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

 The meek is a benefactor of the blessings of the land.

Psalms 37:11 KJV “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Meekness is an attitude of selflessness and a low mindedness. Meekness is the true enemy to the enemy of the Spirit nature, that is, the flesh.

Meekness makes you teachable Psalms 25:9 KJV” The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way”. How can the child of God walk in meekness? Meekness is the nature of your spirit. That is who you are. Believe and accept that you are meek. Say it continually. I am meek, and very teachable. Keep feeding your soul with the word of God.

CONFESSION

I am meek and lowly in heart. I have the strength of the Spirit to bear any task no matter how tedious, it may be. I am very teachable and so I walk in the mysteries of God’s blessings.

FURTHER STUDIES

Psalms 45:4 KJV “And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things”.

Ephesians 4:2 KJV “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1 John 4:18 KJV “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

In our previous discussions of faith in relation to love as a fruit, we saw that faith is manifested in love as faithfulness and secondly as trust that believes the actions and statements of our associates. In this study we consider faith in God perfected by our love for God. Our key scripture states that perfect love casts out fear. This simply means perfect love builds strong faith in God. Faith in God is maintaining our allegiance to God. The more we commit ourselves to loving the Lord the more we would maintain our allegiance to him. John 14:23 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man loves me, he will keep my words: “. What is faith? The simplest definition for faith is believing what God’s word says, and doing it.

Abraham is described as a man of great faith, because he was a man who had grown in his love for God. He was described as a friend of God. James 2:23 KJV “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” .As fruits develop through proper cultivation so, when we keep a close fellowship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and Bible studies, we would grow in our love for God, resulting in strong faith in Him. He said if you abide in me and my words abide in you, you would bear much fruit. (John 15:5)

The gift of faith as stated in 1 Corinth 12 is different from the fruit of the spirit manifesting faith.1Corinth 12:9 KJV. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”

 The gift of faith is a manifestation of the spirit at a particular moment as the Holy Spirit wills (1 Corinth 12:9.) The gift may manifest mightily in a day-old Christian. This is not so with the fruit. It is not every child of God who may manifest the gift of faith, yet every child of God has the fruit of the Spirit that is love. This kind of faith takes time to grow through fellowship and obedience to the word. Faith like a man’s muscles is made stronger through exercising your muscles. Over a period of consistent doing of the word of God,

CONFESSION

I abide in the Lord by letting His word abide in me. I bear the fruit of love for God and my faith in God grow. My faith is made stronger through my commitment to doing what the word of God says.

FURTHER STUDIES

Galatians 5:6 KJV” For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love”.

1 John 4:17 KJV “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1 Corinth 13:7 KJV” Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things”.

In our previous study we considered love as faithfulness or being truthful to all relationships. We now consider love as an expression of believe or trust for others in various relationships. Our key scripture states, love believes all things. This does not suggest the person of love just believes everything, both truth and error. This is not the message the verse seeks to portray. What it means is in a relationship   like the marriage setting, or a friendship relationship, parties because of love do not doubt actions, and statements of each other. Love builds trust.  Many homes are hurting and are almost near a break up because there is no trust among them. This condition results mostly because, they were not faithful to each other. Trustworthiness builds trust.

When a relationship finds itself in such a state, certain actions must be taken to restore serenity.

1.The party who is acting unfaithfully must acknowledge he or she is destroying that God given union. He or she must repent and decide to be faithful.

2 At this instant the offended party must accept the new position of his or her partner. Express your Love, by forgiving and believing the decision of your partner. What about, when that individual keeps repeating his unfaithfulness? If a partner behaves this way, then there are a few issues to know.

1 Such a person has not known what love is, and so acts unfaithfully.

2 Forgive him or her as Jesus taught, and pray for him, and share God’s word with him, or her.

Keep loving this person. 1Peter 4:8 ISV ” Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins”. Your deep love coupled with prayer and scriptural instructions, would help you to win your partner.

Mistrust in a relationship is very heartbreaking. In certain turbulent times, some partners can look into their spouse’s eyes and tell them I will never trust you. This is one of the worse words, that could ever flow from any person’s mouth. Tell him or her, I know your actions would only be better and not worse, and I would always love you. Such words would break every bad behaviour, because they flow from the bowels of the Spirit.

CONFESSION

I am a person of the Spirit. My heart is filled with the love of the Holy Spirit. I have chosen to trust all those, I am associated with. I do not give up on them when they fail. I give them the opportunity to make amends

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 3:12 & 13 KJV Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Proverbs 18:24 KJV A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinth 13:8 ISV “Love never fails. Now if there are prophecies, they will be done away with. If there are languages, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will be done away with”.

In this study we are considering the faithfulness of love. Love does not disappoint. To be faithful is to be true to whatever expects your commitment. It is to be constant, loyal, or to have integrity. Faithfulness always brings refreshment to all who receive him. Proverbs 25:13 ISV” Like cold snow during harvest time   is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his masters”. The faithful husband refreshes the wife, and the wife her husband. The faithful politician refreshes his citizenry, and the faithful pastor refreshes his congregation. The faithful friend refreshes his or her friend.

 Our world is hurting and dying, because there are rarely faithful people. Pro 25:19 ISV” A bad tooth and an unsteady foot—   that’s what confidence in an unreliable man is like   in a time of trouble. “This should never be said of a child of God. Every Christian has the Spirit of Christ. He is supposed to be led by the Spirit and not his or her flesh. Rom 8:9 KJV” But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”. The Spirit of Christ is, love that manifests trustworthiness.

Romans 8:10, teaches that, ” But if the Messiah is in you, your bodies are dead due to sin, but the spirit is alive due to righteousness.” YOUR ability to express the nature of the spirit is to know and except that now that you are in Christ, your body or the flesh no longer is in charge of you, referring to your spirit. Refuse to let the flesh dictate anything to you. Gal 5:16 ISV” So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never fulfill the desires of the flesh. “Please keep saying to yourself always, that I have love, and I am very faithful to God, to my wife or husband, to my work, to my nation and to myself. (Being faithful to yourself is to keep to the resolutions you decide)

 CONFESSION

I am born of God, and have the Spirit of Christ. My flesh is dead because of sin, so it never leads or controls me, but the Spirit does. I have love and I am trustworthy. I diligently commit myself faithfully to all my engagements. Thank you, Lord.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 12:22 ISV” Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”

Proverbs 22:12 ISV. The LORD watches over anyone with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 KJV” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”

We now consider the manifestation of love as gentleness. These character traits are beautiful actions that makes one fitting into every place he or she finds himself or herself. Wives and husband’s must seek to portray these manifestations of love, and we would have heaven in our homes. The Greek word used for gentleness is also translated as kindness or goodness. The underlying meaning is being useful, that is moral excellence. Apostle James paints a vivid picture of this gentle trait. James 3:17 KJV” But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy”. He calls it the wisdom from above.

AS a Christian or child of God, please consider your character disposition in this light. I will list them as the scripture presented them.

1.Purity or holiness

2.Peaceable

3.gentle

4.Easy to be intreated or considerate

5.Full of mercy

6.Full of good fruits

7.Without partiality

8.Without hypocrisy

Such a person is simply useful or indispensable. Dear child of God this is the nature of your spirit. That is who you are. If your actions and behaviour is different from this gentle attribute, then take some moments to reflect over your life. Tell yourself you are gentle and very useful. Go through each of the traits listed above and repeat to yourself that, all these things are in you.

 Dear child of God, stop complaining about any wrong character traits in you. If you complain for example, about your bad temper, you are affirming that, that is who you are. In the dynamics of human behaviour, we behave according to who or what we believe and accept ourselves to be. Give more attention to the reading and reflection over the word of God. The mirror principle from 2nd Corinth 3:18 states that, as we behold what the scriptures teach, we are changed or transformed to be what we are beholding.

CONFESSION

I have a gentle spirit. I am very useful to any place I find myself. I am considerate and kind. I judge actions from a very sincere attitude

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinth 3:18 KJV” But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord”.

Ephesians 4:24 KJV” And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18:21 KJV” Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”.

The ability to be patient with the inconsistencies and shortcomings of others is to be able to forgive their flaws. Forgiveness is the doorway to throw away garbage and dirt that people deposit in our lives. To be hurt by the OFFENCE of another is like placing fire in your bosom. The only way to free yourself of the pain and injury of that hurt is to throw that fire away. This is what forgiveness is all about.

Hebrews 12:15 KJV” Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”. To refuse to forgive will hurt you, breed bitterness and trouble you as well.

From Hebrews 12:15, besides. unforgiveness troubling you, it causes you to fall from the grace of God. The implications of falling from the grace of God is too costly. It means you have forfeited your salvation because of an OFFENCE. The Lord answered Peter in our key scripture that he must forgive his brother who offends him, seventy by seven times in a day. This is about 490 times. What is the master saying over here? He is saying have longsuffering for your neighbour. Is this possible? If the Lord asked us to do so, then it is very possible.

The real benefactor of forgiveness, is the one who has been offended. When you demonstrate love 

bearing with the shortcomings of others, you save yourself from so much emotional pain.

The major cause of unforgiveness is pride. Love is the answer for pride; 1Co 13:5 KJV” (love) Doth not behave {unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Show forth this love nature by walking in the Spirit. The way of the spirit is to do what the word says. Remember that when you accept to do what God’s word says, you receive the ability to do it.

CONFESSSION

I forgive all as often as they may offend me. I have  great patience towards all men, at all times. The Holy Spirit has shared the love of God in my heart.

FURTHER STUDIES

Eph 4:32 KJV” And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”.

Colossians 1:11 KJV” Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1 Corinth 13:4 ISV” Love is always patient; love is always kind; love is never envious   or arrogant with pride. Nor is she conceited”,

We now consider the longsuffering of love. Longsuffering normally has to do with bearing with the inconsistencies or shortcomings of men, whiles patience relates more to every other negative condition including people’s negative actions as well. In math we will say patience is a universal set, whiles longsuffering is its subset. It is never the nature of our flesh to suffer long with others. It is a nature of the Spirit rather to suffer long. We do it because the word tells us so. Our feelings would rather be impatient with others. Longsuffering is one of the manifestations of love.

Longsuffering is God’s mechanism, as a shock absorber placed in us to help us live happily with one another. In our families, marriages, and every other form of relating with others. In all relationships we would need to be patient with others on a whole lot of issues. Please note, it is not longsuffering to be worried and complain about the wrongs of others. Longsuffering is to maintain, calmness by placing your concerns before God.

1 Peter 2:23 WEB” When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously”. Prayer is a very necessary act in the moment of mistreatment from others. James 5:13 KJV “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Talking to God for others helps you to love them and to gives you the ability to accept them.

One other thing to do in a moment of an inconsistent action from others, is to tell yourself that you are filled with love, and you have the ability to forgive and even bear with all the wrong actions of others. Actions are mostly responses to instructions. Always instruct yourself about what to do. Note: this does not mean you do not express your dislike about people’s wrong actions. I mean there are certain actions that may be momentary mistakes, and the culprit may be ready to change when prompted. There may be other habits that people would change or stop when made aware. There are a third group of people who keep repeating certain actions, no matter how much you tell them or express your dislike about such ways. Be patient with such people (1Thess 5:14).

CONFESSION

I am filled with love, and I’m very patient with all the inconsistencies of others. I forgive the wrongs of such people, and do not keep their errors in my memory. I always pray for such people to act in according with God’s Word.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 4:2 KJV” With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”;

Colossians 3:12 KJV “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;

KEY SCRIPTURE Proverbs 15:13 KJV” A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken”.

We continue with the fruit of the Spirit. A merry heart is an expression of joy. In the book of Proverbs, there are three instances that it makes mention of a merry heart. All these three have a profound implication to us, and it is worth noting. Proverbs 15:13 says ” A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” This simply means, a joyful heart straightens up the whole body, but a worried mind breaks up his spirit. but, according to Proverbs 18:14. ” The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” It is your spirit that keeps you holding on in difficult or trying moments. If your spirit is wounded as a result of various life situations, how can you stand up against difficult situations in life? Joy is the strength of the Spirit of man.

The next statement in Proverbs about a joyful heart or merry heart is Proverbs 15:15 “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Life offers both good times and bad times. Bad times can depress or keep one very down., yet the man who chooses to maintain a merry heart will not know any down moments. He has a continued feast. He is the man who declares my life is moving upward and forward, with no down moments. Whether you have an up and down life or a life of constant feast of excitement depends on your decision to maintain a merry heart.

The third and last instant declares “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” Proverbs 17:22 Joy to the whole being is like medicine. It will boost your immune system. Sorrow and worry will dry up the bones. It will poison your system. Worry or joyfulness is a choice. To keep a joyful heart, always turn to what God says in His word and tell yourself, you believe what the word says. Start thanking the Lord and then sing songs to praise him for answered prayers. Refuse to be worried when negative thoughts come to your mind. Just say, ‘my God is in charge and everything is well with me’. Keep singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord.

CONFESSION

I have joy, joy like a river running through my soul. I have no down moments for I have chosen to rejoice

in all situations.

FURTHER STUDIES

Ephesians 5:19 KJV Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Philippians 4:6 KJV “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:4 KJV” Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again, I say, Rejoice”.

 The joy of the child of God is the sorrow of the devil. For joy always mocks the devil. Joy is the sunshine of the spirit. The word of God enjoins us to rejoice always. The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) There is a difference between being joyful and being happy. Happiness is an excitement due to an admirable event. Joy is an excitement based on what God has said. It is an act of the spirit expressing confidence in God. This is the reason the scripture says we must rejoice always. Joy is based on acknowledging the promises of God as a done deal.

Apostle James counsels all Christians to count it all joy when they encounter diverse kinds of temptations. Temptation in this context is a trial brought your way by the devil. His motive is to cause you to be sad, sorrowful and accuse God. Job 1:11 KJV” But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face “. Satan’s expectation for bringing all the trouble is to make you accuse God. Rejoicing in times of trials is a form of mockery you make of the devil. It is a way of exalting God, for His ever-abiding goodness, irrespective of what may be happening. One can truly rejoice in such moments if his love for God is intact. Love’s response in difficult times is joy.

In Acts chapter 16, we read of Apostle Paul and Silas, who cast out the spirit of divination from a girl. This girl’s business for her masters had come to an end, as a result. They arrested them, laid stripes on them, put their hands and feet in stocks in a dungeon. These men instead of sorrowing or complaining over their plight, rather burst into prayer and large praises. The Lord expressed His approval to their action, by causing an earthquake and breaking the chains that held them bound. Joy would always destroy Satan’s attacks and set you free. Joy is medicine to the whole body. Pro 17:22 KJV” A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones”. Maintain your joy always. Sing psalms making melody in your heart always unto the Lord.

CONFESSION

I Rejoice always. My heart is excited over the certainty of God’s promises and I make melody in my heart to praise and exalt the Lord. May His holy name be praised forever more Amen.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 15:15 KJV “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast”.

Proverbs 15:13 KJV A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

KEY SCRIPTURE:1John 4:20 ISV “Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love the God whom he has not seen”.

IT is not possible to be a Christian and not to have love. This simply means anyone parading as a Christian with hatred and bitterness towards others is not a Christian. A Christian is one with the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christ is the spirit of love. To hate is to abide in death. 1 John 3:14 KJV “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death”. Love is the true symbol of liberty. This is the reason a person of love, is at peace with himself, peace with God and peace with his neighbour. Peace is the liberation of the soul.

Perfect love cast out fear. 1John 4:18 KJV” There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”. Fear always stifles peace. A fearful person has no peace because he has no love. We find Joseph’s brother being eluded by peace because of hatred. Gen 37:4 KJV” And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him”. If you can’t relate peacefully with your neighbour, then there is some amount of hatred boiling in the heart.

What kind of Christians are we having these days? A Christian prays, and it is not about God saving souls but God killing his enemies for them. Who is your enemy? Is he the man who curses you? The one who hates you? Is it he that despitefully use you, or persecute you? Please take the Lord’s counsel on how to treat such people. Matthew 5:44 KJV “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”; Why should we treat a callous person in such a way?. He is dead in sin and on his way to hell fire, but we are alive with God’s love in us. Dear child of God, please repent of every hatred, you have towards any man.

CONFESSION

I have love for all and hatred for none. My heart is filled with peace and have fear for nothing. I pray for all my enemies.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 23:34 KJV” Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots”. Romans 12:20 & 21 KJV” Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.