FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
By Pastor George Cortez
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
By Pastor George Cortez
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Patience – “I want patience and I want it now!” - People who lack patience often seem to embody this statement. It brings up the contradiction: one must have patience to have patience.
We all know people who are easily irritated. They invariably let others know it, either by a steady stream of grumbling, carping and griping, accompanied by a face painted with the pain of having to suffer the fools surrounding them, or they "blow up" in red-faced fury, shouting a torrent of invective intended to let everyone within hearing distance know they have been put upon and have "had it." The great bulk of us are in between. We may not show much agitation on the outside, but inwardly we are churning with varying degrees of stress, wishing that people would "just get on with it" so we can do our thing.
Would Jesus ever act or react like this? He certainly became justifiably angry on occasion, but the Bible never illustrates Him even remotely losing control—even while under intense pressure from blinded and stubborn fools, some of whom were intentionally baiting Him.
Because it is so vital to our Christian lives, let's look at four aspects of patience: what is it, why should we have it, what actions should we take while being patient, and how can we develop more patience?
The dictionary defines "patience" as displaying quiet endurance under stress or annoyance, tranquil while awaiting results, persevering. The Bible uses the word patience in two forms: makrothumia, patience with people; and hupomone, patience in trial. - Putting these two together, patience is calm endurance while under stress without the loss of self-control.
Why does God put such a high priority on patience? Patience sets a godly example for others. In this age of stress and instant expectations, our patience with others is a blazing beacon that draws people's attention. And also, we need patience to build godly character:
Romans 5:1-4 - Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [hupomone]; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.. - Here, Paul informs us that patience is a foundational ingredient of godly character.
Patience
Membership in God's church produces trials in our lives as God works with us, and as we strive to change and overcome. During these times, if we are not careful, we can confuse apathy with patience. God's people should always strive to be proactive, praying, fasting and studying to strengthen our foundations. - Does God ever counsel or command anything that does not show love and produce good?
The essence of persecution lies in subjecting the Christian to injury or disadvantage because of his beliefs. Persecution may take many forms, but it is more than someone merely presenting counter-arguments to the Christian's convictions. It is inflicting some injury on him, putting him to some disadvantage or placing him in unfavorable circumstances.
Persecution can take on many forms, and the injury can be to the Christian's feelings or to his family, your reputation, property, liberty or influence. It may deprive him of an office or position he held or prevent him from obtaining one for which he is qualified. He could be subjected to a fine, imprisonment, banishment, torture or death. - It follows, then, that both Peter and Paul warn us that we who make a profession of Christianity must be prepared for persecution. It "goes with the territory." We are not to shrink to avoid it, but bear it patiently as Christ did.
God's patience delays His wrath, allowing time for good to occur. Jonah 4:2 expresses this: - So he prayed to the Lord, and said, "Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm."
If God struck out at people just as short-fused humans frequently do, no one would be alive today. Jonah, in a typically human reaction, wanted God to wipe the sinners of Nineveh, Israel's enemy, off the face of the earth! - See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Two wrongs don’t make a right, and in our irritated or angry impatience, we frequently say or do something just as bad or worse as was done to us! Then where are we?, often our patience does not delay our wrath as God's does. – And since we are beings of free choice, we are still obligated to God to activate it, exercise it and use it as a witness that God lives in us.
Patience is a vital part of the process that enables God to work over a long span of time, if needed, to produce in us other important aspects of His image as God seeks to build us up so we can have all the nine fruits of the Spirit, so that “we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing", God is the Source and His Spirit the means of this very valuable fruit called patience…..
