Faithfulness (Gr. pistis, reliability, trustworthiness)
Gentleness (Gr. praytes, acquiescence to authority and consideration of others)
Self-control (Gr. enkrateia, ability to master oneself)
"Again, it appears that Paul is not so concerned with precisely how each of these matters works out in practice, but with the underlying orientation of selfless and outgoing concern for others. For in commitment to God through Jesus Christ one discovers a new orientation for life--an orientation that reflects the selfless and outgoing love of God himself."195
There are laws against the deeds of the flesh because they are destructive, but there are none against the fruit of the Spirit because it is edifying (cf. Rom. 8:1).196
". . . the law is not againstthose who walk by the Spirit because in principle they are fulfilling the law (verse 14)."197
Personality Traits for Meaningful Ministry198
This past June [1985], Rick Rood attended a conference on Student Development in Theological Education held in Deerfield, Illinois. At the conference John L. Davis, of the North Central Career Development Center, New Brighton, Minnesota, spoke of nine "personal and social formation characteristics."His staff identified these as being significant for the practice of ministry. . . .
1. Ego-strength or inner resiliency to cope with personal and professional stress; sense of self-worth.
2. Integrity about one's inner being; a willingness to . . . share selectively and appropriately about one's regrets, fears, needs, aspirations, and visions.
3. Discriminatingly assertive; self-starting; resourceful, energetic, poised, interdependent; even some degree of entrepreneurship.
4. Inquisitiveness; openness to learning; avoidance of rigidity.
5. Healthy skepticism; evidence of questioning, probing, doubting.
6. Presence of joy, humor, hope.
7. Patience; long endurance.
8. Adaptability; willingness to come to terms with role expectations in ministry without violating one's inner conscience.
9. Demonstration of a collegial attitude and behavior; avoidance of an authoritative or laissez-faire approach to leadership; leadership sometimes described as participating and/or consultative.
Sounds almost like the fruit of the Spirit, doesn't it?
