THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART 59 )
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3357
THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART 59 )
From Glory to Glory ( Study 38)
Walking By The Spirit #8
The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience #1
Patience which is derived from the Greek word "Makrothumia" (Galatians 5:22) is a compound formed by Makros (“long”) and Thumos (“passion” or “temper”).
"Patience” in Galatians 5:22 literally means “long temper,” in the sense of “the ability to hold one’s temper for a long time.” The KJV translates it as “longsuffering.”
Since it is a fruit of the Spirit, we can only possess
"Makrothumia" through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
As the Spirit produces Patience in us, He is making us more Christlike. Second Thessalonians 3:5 speaks of the “patience of Christ” (ASV). Christ is even now patiently awaiting the completion of the Father’s plan: after Jesus “had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool” (Hebrews 10:12-13).
We should be patient, even as He is patient.
As we can see, Patience comes from a position of power. A person may have the ability to take revenge or cause trouble, but patience brings self-restraint and careful thinking.
Losing patience is a sign of weakness. We are patient through trying situations out of hope for a coming deliverance; we are patient with a trying person out of compassion. We choose to love that person and want what’s best for him.
Abba Father, You are patient with sinners. Romans 2:4 says that Your patience leads to our repentance. Romans 9:22 points out that only Your patience prevents You from destroying “the objects of his wrath.”
Paul glorifies You for Your “unlimited patience” that saved him, “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:16).
Peter highlights Your patience in 1 Peter 3:20, pointing out that You had immense patience with the evil people of Noah’s day, delaying judgment as long as possible (Genesis 6).
Today, “our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved” (2 Peter 3:15, NLT).
Help us to bear this Fruit of Patience towards others that we may not judge them harshly for their perceived sins. Help us to lead them to repentance towards You. Give us Your grace of Patience towards others as You have displayed towards us. Help us not to give up on the salvation of others nor to stop praying for them.
N.B. Tomorrow we shall delve more deeply into this Fruit of Patience as we are living in a world of increasing impatience and unmerciful judgment.
