The Fruit of the Spirit--Patience--Day 6

 

The word for patience means to wait a sufficient time before expressing anger.  It also means to avoid the premature use of force that rises out of improper anger, a personal reaction.  (It's Old Testament, Hebrew counterpart is found in Jeremiah 15:15 as forbearance). Romans 2 references back to chapter 1, in which Paul makes a list very similar to the one in our main verses--"the works of the flesh".  Although Paul's readers (then and now) practiced such things, we all count on the kindness and patience of God to lead us to repentance.  As do those who are still lost and living in willful disobedience.  Romans 9 let's us know that God doesn't answer to us when it comes to how He runs things!! Because, as far as we know, God is showing patience to the ones who will never choose Him, to pattern His rich character of mercy to those of us who will.   In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul (again 😄) explains that their ministry has been reaching others, because of trials AND because of the fruit of the Spirit displayed in their lives.  Ephesians 4 (we've read this two days in a row) urges us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling as a follower of Christ, to show patience with the goal of unity.  Colossians 3 reminds us that we also lived by whatever our flesh desired (and sadly, sometimes I still do.  I recognized my own actions in verses 8 and 9 😔) Patience is something to be put on, as part of our new self in Christ.  

Galatians 5:16-26 is contrasting the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.  I was dreading patience a little. We've all heard "Be careful when you pray for patience, here come the trials!!"  😟 We may start our day pledging to be patient, or at least more patient than we were the day before.  But then life happens, and we feel like we failed.  This Greek word that means patience in every one of these verses has a 3rd meaning--"divinely regulated patience".  This means that only the Lord is able to produce true patience in our lives  Romans 2:1-5 are some of my favorite verses.  We have been shown kindness and patience from God Himself, the beauty of which drew us to repentance.  How then can we not show the same patience to those God put in our lives--both believers and unbelievers?  By doing so, we can make known the riches of His glory.  And that's our calling.