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Pastor Chris White says to all of you: HELLO MY FRIENDS. May the Lord bless you today.
HOLA MIS AMIGOS. Que el Señor los bendiga.
When
everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of
patience comes when our rights are violated—when another car cuts us off in
traffic; when we are treated unfairly; when our coworker derides our faith,
again. Some people think they have a right to get upset in the face of
irritations and trials. Impatience seems like a holy anger. The Bible, however,
praises patience as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) which should be produced for
all followers of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence, and love.
Although most people consider patience to be a passive waiting or gentle
tolerance, most of the Greek words translated “patience” in the New Testament
are active, robust words. Consider, for example, Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore since we also are
surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight
and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us” (NKJV). Does one run a race by passively waiting for
slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? Certainly not! The word translated
“patience” in this verse means “endurance.” A Christian runs the race patiently
by persevering through difficulties. In the Bible, patience is persevering
towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be
fulfilled.
Patience does not develop overnight. God’s power and goodness are crucial to
the development of patience. Colossians 1:11 tells us
that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience,” while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials
are His way of perfecting our patience. Our patience is further developed and
strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing, even in the face of
evil men who “succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes”
(Psalm 37:7). Our patience is rewarded in the
end “because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8). “The Lord is good to those whose
hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” (Lamentations 3:25).
We see in the Bible many examples of those whose patience characterized their
walk with God. James points us to the prophets “as an example of patience in
the face of suffering” (James 5:10). He also
refers to Job, whose perseverance was rewarded by what the “Lord finally
brought about” (James 5:11). Abraham,
too, waited patiently and “received what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15). Jesus is our model in all
things, and He demonstrated patient endurance: “Who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
How do we display the patience that is characteristic of Christ? First, we
thank God. A person’s first reaction is usually “Why me?”, but the Bible says
to rejoice in God’s will (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6). Second, we seek His purposes.
Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we can be a witness.
Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character.
Remembering that His purpose is for our growth and His glory will help us in the
trial. Third, we remember His promises such as Romans 8:28, which tells us that “all things
God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to
his purpose.” The “all things” include the things that try our patience.
The next time you are in a traffic jam, betrayed by a friend, or mocked for
your testimony, how will you respond? The natural response is impatience which
leads to stress, anger, and frustration. Praise God that, as Christians, we are
no longer in bondage to a “natural response” because we are new creations in
Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Instead, we have the Lord’s strength to respond with patience and in complete
trust in the Father’s power and purpose. “To those who by persistence in doing
good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (Romans 2:7).
Thank you to Got Questions Ministries
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