Qualities of Grace-Living-Loving People

Loving...Jesus not only loved those who loved or who were followers of Him...He loved everybody including sinners. He did not hide in denominated buildings called church with people of like faith claiming to be loving by loving people who believed and assembled because of like faith. The love of Christ will take the initiative to encourage people and enable us to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return. (John 13:1; John 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:3)

Joyful...Joy allows us to enjoy His creation (all people), and our circumstances with an expression of delight and real, authentic happiness from and with harmony with God and others. (Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; John 17:13)

Peaceful...Peace is surrendering and yielding to the Lord’s control, not religious control, for He is our ultimate peace! It is allowing tranquility to be our tone and to control our repose. This will be fuelled by our harmonious relationship with God so we can hand over control of our heart and will to Him. Once we make real peace with God, we will be able to make and maintain peace with other people. (Matthew 5:9; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7)

Patient...Patience is showing tolerance and fortitude to others, and even accepting their differences not fearing their differences, without making demands and conditions. (Matthew 27:14; Romans 12:12; James 1:3,12)

Kind...Kindness is practicing benevolence and a loving attitude towards people even those who are believe different than what we do. (Ephesians 4:32)

Good...Goodness displays integrity, honesty, and compassion to others, and allows us to do the right thing for them instead of what is the right thing for us. (Matthew 19:16)

Faithful...Faithfulness is the “stickability” fruit that will preserve our faith and the other characters of the Spirit as well as understanding God's plan for the community of humanity so we can be dependable and trusting to God and His message of Grace to people. (Matthew 17:19; Matthew 25:21; 1 Cor. 12:9; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thes 5:24)

Gentle...Gentleness is the characteristic that will show calmness, personal care, and tenderness in understanding other people who are not like us. (Isa. 40:11; Philippians 4:5; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Thes 2:7)

Self-control. Self-Control will give us discipline, and restrain from treating others with disrespect even though they believe differently than we do. We will be disciplined to God's desires rather than religion's desires. (1 Thes 5: 22)

Forgiving. Forgiving is the realization of how much we have been forgiven by Christ. This enables us to forgive others. It involves not being resentful to others, and ignoring the wrongs that we have received so we can mend relationships by expressing Christ’s love. (Luke 23:34; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)

Humility. Humility minimizes religious arrogance and removes religious pride. It is understanding our fallen nature and tendency to think we are better than we are, and our striving to lift up ourselves above others and and be favoured by God. It is admitting that others, and more importantly God is responsible for our achievements. Humbleness will enable us to be a teachable people who will have the attitude of submission to Christ rather than the religious hierarchy. (Luke 22:27; Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 5:3–5)

Fairness. Fairness sees a situation from the viewpoint of each person involved and not just a denominational one. It seeks the best, just, equable solution, even if it hurts. (Matthew 7:12)

Courageous. Courage is the ability that God has given us to face any situation, trial, or peril. It is the ability to react, knowing that God is in control, that He who is in me is greater than he who is against me. (Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 John 4:4)

Befriending. Friendship is the relationship and closeness we are to have with one another. It is the commitment to be there for other people. This is not to be feared but embraced, even when we do not agree with it! (Proverbs 27:17)

Honest. Honesty means being straight and honest with others and doing what is right. This trait will allow us to earn trust by being truthful gracefully which will prevent harshness and accusations. (2 Cor. 8:21; Ephesians 4:25)

Dependability. Dependable is being constantly reliable and trustworthy. It will allow us to continue in our commitments even if it means personal sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 1:10)

Gratefulness. Gratitude is an attitude of being thankful. This is an aspect of worship, expressing to God and others how they have benefited our lives by showing their support and benevolence. (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Thes. 5: 18)

Responsible. Responsible for His choices and not being manipulated or controlled by the religious regime. (Romans 14:12)

Confident. Confidence helps us rely on the Lord for all things in our life. It will enable us to push forward in the direction that we are called because He is governing. It makes us realize we are not responsible for the results–only the privilege of working with Him. (Philippians 4:13)

Encourager. Encouragement will lift, support, and help others up through difficult circumstances, all from God’s perspective. (Psalm 119:28; Psalm 143:3; Matt. 3:17; John 14:1; 1 Thes. 5:11–14)

Listener. Listening recognizes the value of other people by giving them listening ears, respect, courtesy, and total concentration. This means paying attention to others, not just listening to to respond but listening to understand.

Compassionate. Compassion will feel the pain and plight of others. It will enable us to convey a deep feeling of love and concern that moves us to meet their distresses, struggles, and needs. (Job 29:13; Isa. 40:11; Mark 1:41; Luke 19:4; 1 Peter 3:8)

Godly. Godliness is being pious, which is rearranging our beliefs to line up with God’s character. (3 John 11)

Meek. Meekness is not about being weak! It is strength under control, which yields personal rights and expectations to God. (Psalms 62:5)

Mercy. Merciful is demonstrating more forgiving and gracious kindness than the world requires. (Luke 6:36)

Acceptance. Accepting ourselves and others is realizing we are deeply loved and accepted by Christ, thus, we can accept people for who they are. To accept others we have to understand God's love for us. Self-hatred is not Biblical! Self-Acceptance will allow us to accept unchangeable physical features and situations that God has made, to allow us to focus on the more important things in life such as character. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)