2024 0218 Romans 12 Joyful and Patient

Romans 12:12 NIV

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

this passage starts with love - spiritual and brotherly devotion

goes on with an encouragement to great enthusiasm … zeal

we see Paul embedding a greater understanding into his theology

the fruit of the Spirit has 9 listed characteristics - expressions of Jesus himself

there is joy, patience or forbearance and faithfulness

Joyful in Hope

two key words for the Christian - joy and hope

we are to be full of joy

the reason is the hope in Jesus

Romans 5:2–4 NIV

through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Jesus is the glory of God

Colossians 1:27 the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Jesus is in you as a committed believer

we are all filled with the glory of God

hence we must be full of joy

Outworking of Joy

there can be no circumstance or event or matter that makes us lose hope

we came out of hopelessness into the glorious light

our position changed, so should our mindset

we will rejoice with the joy of Jesus

no matter what

Patient in Affliction

patience comes through adversity

you will be frustrated even angry when people or things happen

this can be serious and deep trouble

you cry out for patience

you know you need patience

yet you must go through it with all the raw emotions

it requires active and steadfast endurance

Gaining Patience

the secret is joyful in hope

the fullness of a godly response is patience

we become patient because of the hope in Christ

get our minds and emotions off worldly things

2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

so how do we do this?

Faithful in Prayer

faithful is full of faith

things not done in faith is sin

Romans 14:23 and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

prayer is our pathway to knowing Jesus and thus becoming like him

so being devoted and persistent in prayer is the key

the key in being more joyful, more patient

firstly it is personal prayer

what are you doing to be more Christlike

take every opportunity to speak and more importantly listen