Trait 3 Love: there is the trait of love. There is a comfort (paramuthion , , support, an exhortation, reinforcement  persuading, encouragement, inspiration, praise )   of love that is in Christ. The love of Christ stirs a person to keep the unity with other believers. The word "love" is agapē love, the love that is selfless and sacrificial. Agapē love is the love of the mind, of the reason, and of the will. It is the love that goes so far...

•  that it loves a person even if he does not deserve to be loved.

•  that actually loves the person who is utterly unworthy of being loved.

Agapē  (often translated "unconditional love"), is the love of Christ, the love which He showed when He gave and sacrificed Himself for us. We did not deserve it and were utterly unworthy of such love, yet Christ loved us despite all.

Imagine the spirit of unity that would exist within a church if every member would let the love of Christ flow through him. There would be no bitterness, anger, or strife—no action that would hurt another person whatsoever. If the person was wrong and deserved punishment, the church's members would sacrifice and give themselves for him. Note Phil. 2:2:

  "Have the same love"—the same love Christ had for you.

Thought 1. This is the answer to unity: the Lord's spirit of love! How desperately the church needs its members to let the love of Christ flow through them to each other!

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35).

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).

"Let love be without dissimulation [hypocrisy]. Abhor (detest or shun) that which is evil; cleave (hang on to, join that which is good" (Romans 12:9).

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (1 Thes. 3:12).

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22).

Discussion Points:   (1) How has the word Love in today’s society, been defined? In your Life?    Read John 15:7-14  Key verse 13 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
 

(2)What does this scripture mean to you?
Trait 4 Holy Spirit, Fellowship: there is the trait of fellowship in the Spirit. Once a person has trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord, God's Spirit does two significant things to him.

  The Holy Spirit enters the believer's heart and life to comfort, guide, teach, equip, and use him as a witness for Christ.

The Holy Spirit creates a spiritual union between the new believer and other believers. He melts and moulds the heart of the believer to the hearts of other believers. He attaches all their lives together, and they become one in life and purpose. They have a joint life sharing their blessings and needs and gifts together—all focused upon their Lord and His purpose.

The mind of the Holy Spirit is set upon unity and fellowship—all centered around Jesus Christ and His mission. The church and its believers are to have the same mind. There are to be no disagreeing opinions  whatsoever in the church: no talk about differences; no sharing of bad news; no gossip, rumors, cliques, nothing whatsoever that would tamper with or disturb the fellowship of the Spirit in the church. Again, look at Phil. 2:2; at the statement that Jesus makes in John 16:4-15 about the Holy Spirit. The key verses are  13 through 15

  "Be of one accord"—keep the unity of the Spirit, the fellowship of the Spirit

John 16:4-14

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Discussion Points:  (1) The unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Why is this so important in todays’ society? In your life?   Read I John 5:5-12,  key verse 77 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

 (2)What assurance(s) do you get from this scripture?