Heart of God

So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind--permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

(Colossians 3:12-17) Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds. ( Hebrews 10:24) Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness. Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Reap the blessings that your devotion to me will produce. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you. (Hosea 10:12)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love. (Galatians 5:22) Love is what enables us to develop the other fruits of the Spirit in our lives, paving the way for what God wants to do in our hearts. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him.

(1John 4:16) Love for all people was at the very centre of Jesus' message. I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. ( John 13:34) In all humility of mind and quietness and patience, and that you would be patient one toward another in love. (Ephesians 4:2) In purity and sincerity, in knowledge and spiritual insight, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [like holding the sword to attack] and for the left [like holding the shield to defend. (Corinthians 6:6-7)

(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth) ( Ephesians 5:8)