Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Galatians 5:22–26 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Introduction:

weeks ago we started talking about the fruit that Christians bear by talking about love.

we stated that Christians don’t Just magically ( automatically) start walking in this.

we have to renew our mind and strive for these changes in our lives.

we started with love- the love of God toward us- the love of God in us for others.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 3115 μακροθυμία

3115 μακροθυμία [makrothumia /mak·roth·oo·mee·ah/] n f. From the same as 3116; TDNT 4:374; TDNTA 550; GK 3429; 14 occurrences; AV translates as “longsuffering” 12 times, and “patience” twice. 1 patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance. 2 patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs. Additional Information: For synonyms see entry 5281, hupomone.See entry 5861 for comparison of synonyms.

1. Long suffering

this is a quality of character that allows strength and determination.

enduring injury, trouble, or provocation long and patiently.

long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation:

2. Long Suffering is:

Patience

endurance

consistency

Steadfastness

Perseverance

Slowness in avenging wrong

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Patient

bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Endurance

2: the ability to withstand hardship or adversity especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity 〈a marathon runner’s endurance〉

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Consistency

a: agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole: CORRESPONDENCE specifically: ability to be asserted together without contradiction

b: harmony of conduct or practice with profession 〈followed her own advice with consistency〉

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Steadfast

b: not subject to change 〈the steadfast doctrine of original sin—Ellen Glasgow〉

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Persevere

per•se•vere \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\ verb intransitive

-vered; -ver•ing [Middle English, from Anglo-French parseverer, from Latin perseverare, from per- through + severus severe] 14th century: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement—per•se•ver•ing•ly adverb

3. Applying perseverance:

these of course are SPIRITUAL.

these of course HIGHEST OF ALL IDEALS.

1 Timothy 3:1–13 NKJV

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.