PATIENCE
“...let patience have her
perfect work...” James 1:4
The
Greek word “hupomone” means literally “an abiding under”. So, there must be pressure applied for
patience to be exhibited. Paul tells us
that tribulation worketh or produces patience.
(Rom 5:3) So, patience is an
acquired skill - the fruit of testing and pressure.
Patience
can be passive - as we merely endure recognizing trials as from the hand of
God. And, it can be active - by
persistence and perseverance as we patiently work through situations. Either way it produces Christian character
that can only be brought about by levels of pressure and testing.
None
of us relish affliction or tribulation.
We really don’t enjoy exhibiting patience either. We would prefer the easy path and most things
to go our own way. Yet, if we really
desire Christ-likeness we must see pressures as necessary to our growth and as
the loving hand of God teaching his child maturity.
Allowing
patience to “her perfect work” also produces further fruit. Romans 5:3-5 says that it brings on
experience, hope and confidence. James
says it makes us mature and complete.
Are
you “abiding under” a trial? Do you see the benefit of trials? Are you willing to allow patience to do her
perfect work in your life?
PATIENCE
“...the trying of your
faith worketh patience.” James 1:3
“The
trying of our faith”. As we move nearer
to the time of the trumpet, our faith is bound to be tested more
intensely. We will need all the patient
endurance and perseverance that the Holy Spirit can produce. We will need the wisdom and confidence that
God has taught us through experience and past trials. And, again, we will need to recognize that
such trials of our faith will not destroy us, but will produce more patience
and, yes, stronger faith.
Our
faith can be tested many ways. Sometimes
we face scoffers, sometimes, fools, occasionally we may be confronted and have
to speak up for Christ. Or, we may see
and feel the falling away of those around us and hear the voice of the deceiver
tempting us to do the same. He can plant
doubt and discouragement. He can
distract and annoy. But, if we have
learned patience we know that he can only do so for a season. The victory is ours and by patient faith we
can endure.
How
do you face trials? If you were facing
them patiently, what do you think that would look like? Do you need to make any adjustments?
PATIENCE
“the patience of the
saints...” Rev. 14:12, 13:10
The
saints are described as those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus. Or – who trust and obey.
This
is patient endurance. It is simple solid
faith that says, “God is right and it will all be done according to His
Word. I will just be patient and wait!” It is also patient active perseverance that
says, “God is right. I will simply obey
His Word and keep my eyes on Jesus.”
II
Peter 3:4 records those who will ask, “Where is the promise of his
coming?” These have lost patience. They have turned to their own way and
forgotten that God created the world by His Word. He will finish the world by His Word. The day of the Lord will come. Evil will be punished and the saints will be
rewarded. This is the patience of the
saints. It is that settled confident
trust and knowledge that God is right and he will set everything in order in
His time. The saint says, “I will
patiently wait.”
Reading
Isaiah was bringing me down. I was tired
of reading of all the woes and judgments placed on the different nations and on
Israel themselves. As I was reading, my
mind was saying this very thing, and then I came to chapter 35 where God began
to show me the “patience of the saints” and the promise of His
restoration. Words like “rejoice”,
“blossom”, “singing”, “recompense” were scattered throughout the chapter and it
closed with, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with
songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Verse 10)
Are
you willing to wait for the Lord to make all things right? Or, do you go about
meting out justice? Do you look for the
promise of His coming with joy and anticipation?
PATIENCE
“In
patience possess ye your souls...” Luke
21:19
To
possess your soul is to gain mastery over your passions or to not lose
self-control in the face of adverse circumstances. Sounds like our definition of patience –
pressure!
Patience
here might be defined as the ability to not lose self-control, to accept
delays, annoyances and frustrations without complaining or fighting back. It is the ability to calmly accept that some
things we cannot force. They come in
their own time. And, in God’s providence
that will be the right time.
We
need to recognize that God is in control.
If I am providentially hindered on my path, I need to calmly yield and
wait for my Father to make the way plain before me. I need to count to ten and control myself!
Jesus
gave this instruction. It came right after he described the sufferings his followers
would face. He knew the temptations they
would face. He knew that Peter would
speak before the thought. He knew that
some would fall away because of the pressure.
It
reminds me of the two verses in Proverbs – 25:28 – “He that hath no rule over
his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” 16:32 – “He that is slow to anger is better
than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a
city.” Not to have possession of our
souls – spiritual self-control – is to be vulnerable to every attack. Ruling our spirit, however, brings strength.
Can
you control yourself in the face of delays and annoyances? What is your normal reaction? What reactions need to be brought into line
with Scripture?
PATIENCE
“For ye have need of
patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise.” Heb 10:36
Ye
have need! – It is a necessity. Patience
is a necessity. We need it in so many
areas of life. We need it in
relationships, in finances, as we drive and shop, in life decisions, in
business, in child rearing. It is a
necessity. It starts the moment we are
born. We wait to eat and wait to be
changed. We scream and cry, but
eventually learn that we will be fed and clothed. Seems we always want our needs to be met
faster. And usually, we want to put
little effort in ourselves.
But
this verse says we need to patiently do right first, and then the promise of reward
will not fail. This patience is active.
We are to be about the Father’s business and we must do it
patiently. The reward it here, but only
for those who trust and obey. We don’t
get to eat dessert first! The good stuff
comes after the main meal!
So,
the question is, “Are you a screaming baby Christian? One that doesn’t want to
wait for anything or anyone? Or, are you
a demanding toddler stomping your feet and throwing temper tantrums? Or maybe you are a stubborn teen? One who is always questioning why things
aren’t going your way or trying to do things you are not prepared for or mature
enough to truly understand. Or, maybe
you are in open teenage rebellion!
Are
you willing to put in the effort necessary to grow? Then remember this verse…..patience…do God’s
will…then the reward!
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