Patience

These are “social virtues,” manward rather than Godward in their direction. ‘Patience’ is longsuffering towards those who aggravate or persecute. ‘Kindness’ is a question of disposition, and ‘goodness’ of words and deeds.

Tree imagery: 1st three grow upward (GODWARD), 2nd three grow outward (MANWARD), and last three grow downward (SELFWARD)

Gal. 5:22

Patience= The capacity to bear pain or trials without complaint, the ability to forbear under severe provocation, and the self-control which keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity

The usual Hebrew expression for patience is related to the verb “to be long” and involves the idea of being long to get riled or slow to become angry. Phrases on OT that portray patience are “to wait”, “to expect”, “to hope for”.

Greatest example is God

Numbers 14:18

Neh. 9:17

Ps. 86:15

Joel 2:13

Jonah 4:2

God was patient in holding off the flood for the sinners of Noah’s day while the ark was being built, thereby giving more time for repentance (1 Pt 3:20)

God’s kindness, patience & forbearance that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4)

A specific reference to Jesus Christ’s patience is made by Paul who claimed that, in his case, Jesus was able to demonstrate perfect patience (1 Tim 1:16).

Probably the greatest of the NT references to God’s patience is in 2 Peter 3:9.

The delay in Christ’s return is not an indication of slowness on God’s part, says Peter, but of his long-suffering, not being willing that anyone should perish

2. Patience corresponds to mercy

Matt. 18: 26-29

Patience is praised as a virtue in OT

Prov. 14:29 (relating to anger)

Prov. 15:18 (relating to anger)

Prov. 16:32 (relating to anger)

3. Patience characterizing each Christian:

Urged to be because we are Christian

1 Thess. 5:14

Heb. 10:36

Part of being loving as a Christian

1 Cor. 13:4

Demonstration of being Christian

Col. 3:12

2 Tim. 3:10

James 5:7-11

Patience that doesn’t retaliate against oppressive persons

Patience that does not succumb to oppressive things

The Why?

Because God never leaves us where HE finds us.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

He actually knows what’s best for us

Lamentations 3:26 “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

He knows what it takes to get through this life, honoring Him

Rom. 5:2-10

He is working it out for your good and His glory

2 Tim. 2:24-26