By Chris WittsSunday 23 Apr 2023Morning Devotions with Chris WittsFaithReading Time: 1 minute
Subscribe to Morning Devotions podcast
Transcript:
(Patience is a virtue – Part 1)
Patience is also highly regarded throughout Scripture:
Romans 9:22
Proverbs 14:29
Proverbs 19:11
Jesus Displayed Patience in a Remarkable Way
Consider the way He interacted with people. His disciples misunderstood Him and sought to stop Him,but He patiently loved them. His enemies hated and hounded Him. The multitudes rejected Him and cried “crucify Him”,but He wept over the city because of their hardness of heart. See His patience in action with James and John: Luke 9:51─56.
How Can We as Christians become More Patient
By understanding that patience is a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 ─23). Patience comes to God’s people as the Holy Spirit works in our heart as we remain open and cooperative with Him. It can take a lifetime to learn the lessons of patience. (Colossians 3:12─14)
One author (Neil Plantinga) suggests we think of patience as motor oil. “It doesn’t erode all the contaminants in the engine,but it holds them in suspension so that they don’t gum up the works and cause the engine to seize up. Patient people have a large crankcase filled with the oil of longsuffering. They can keep lots of irritants in suspension”.
The Holy Spirit helps us to respond to mistreatment and disappointment with patience. Without patience,we will find it very difficult to forgive others. (Proverbs 19:11)
It was Jesus who encouraged forgiveness to be unlimited,for our own good rather than for the good of the person who caused the injury.
Matthew 18:21─35 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
What had Peter been wondering as he listened to Jesus?
The Rabbis taught that a repeated sin should be forgiven three times. What was shocking about Jesus’ reply?
How does the master illustrate God’s patience and forgiveness towards us?
If we fail to treat others with patience and forgiveness, how will God treat us?
As we appreciate God’s patience with us, is it possible to live with difficult people?
In our dealings with people, let’s remember who we are. We are the children of God. Because God is patient with us,we might find the strength to be a little more patient with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Jesus said “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. No one wants to be treated harshly. We all have that invisible sign around our neck that says “Be patient. God has not finished with me yet.
Bobbie Reed in her book Listen to the Heart has written:
Few people are naturally patient. Most of us want what we desire right now. Patience is the ability to wait without frustration and anxiety. A patient person knows when to move out of the fast lane of life and wait contentedly. Sometimes we must wait for someone else to catch up. Sometimes we wait dor the right time to make suggestions or to take risks. Sometimes we wait for God to lead, to answer a prayer or to open a door of opportunity. Sometimes we must wait because we aren’t ready for what God has planned for us.”