It's tragic -- and ironic -- that Christians today are more regularly associated with the aforementioned vices of self-righteousness and religiosity than with these two most fundamental concepts of Love and Faithfulness, which are not just praised in the Bible but in society at large.  The shortcoming of verse 4's promises to win favor and a good name with God and other people makes it clear that we don't generally keep Love and Faithfulness at the forefront of our lives.  We're not following the directive of Proverb 3:3-4.  Jesus tried to remind us of this, too, in John 13:34-35:  "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  But still, we fail.

So how do we get back on track with these core qualities of Love and Faithfulness?  How do we make these our calling card?  The necklace around our necks?  The tattoo written across our chests?

First of all, it starts with asking God for help with our hatred and unbelief (this is pretty basic, but still pretty important).  Second, we need to make deliberate, conscious choices to act out of Love and Faithfulness, even when we don't feel like it -- trusting that the emotions will catch up with us in time.  And then, slowly, gradually, perhaps imperceptibly at first, we will start changing the way that we think and speak and act.  If we focus on encouragement and kindness and positivity, the cynicism, sarcasm, and snarkiness will start to be displaced.  When we pray for Love and Faithfulness and make deliberate choices to practice Love and Faithfulness (whether we feel like it or not), then we will come to be characterized by Love and Faithfulness.

I'm not saying it's an easy process.  But if we could pull it off, I have very little doubt that the rest of the world would notice and respond.  We would, indeed, win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.