BEARING SPIRITUAL FRUIT PATIENCE Our English word patience stands for two different New Testament Greek words. The first word, makrothumia, literally means long-temper. It has been defined as that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish. It is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy. The second word, hupomone, literally means remaining under. This is endurance during trials, Christian service, chastisement, or undeserved affliction. It also involves persistence and perseverance in well doing, fruit bearing, and running the race of life. (W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). Patience describes the proper Christian attitude or reaction in a variety of situations. Situations that Require Patience: 1. We need patience to endure mistreatment or abuse The word longsuffering (KJV) is the ability to suffer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing resentful or bitter. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Ephesians 4:1-2 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. 2. We need patience to control anger and avoid retaliation We can t control what others do, but we can control our temper and our reactions. God sets the example by being extremely patient with rebellious people who despise His authority and ignore His commands. Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 1 Corinthians 13:5 (Love) doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. 3. We need patience to tolerate the faults and failures of others This is probably the area in which we need the most patience. People constantly behave in ways that irritate or disappoint us. Hardly a day passes but one hears sneering remarks about the stupidity, the awkwardness, the ineptitude of others. - John Sanderson The Bible word forbearance (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13) means to put up with. Patience is gracious tolerance of another s faults.
Jesus taught a powerful lesson on fault-finding and forbearance (Mt. 7:1-5). 4. We need patience to wait on God God s timetable and plans are often different from ours. Abraham and Sarah lacked this kind of patience (Gen. 16). The Israelites lacked this kind of patience (Ex. 32). King Saul lacked this kind of patience (1 Sam. 13). King David displayed this kind of patience many times (Ps. 27:14; 40:1). 5. We need patience to endure life s trials and troubles Longsuffering and forbearance involve patience with other people. Endurance and perseverance involve patience with our circumstances. James 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (trials); 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Trials always change our relationship with God. Either they drive us to Him, or they drive us away from Him. The extent of our fear of Him and our awareness of His love for us determine in which direction we will move. - Jerry Bridges Things that Develop Patience: 1. Knowing the character of God develops patience We should remember that God is just, faithful, forgiving, and unchangeable. Joseph trusted in God s providence. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Jesus set the example of trusting God,1 Pet. 2:20-23 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 2. Realizing God s patience with us develops patience Jesus parable of the unmerciful servant, Matthew 18:21-35 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 3. Following godly examples develops patience Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Hebrews 6:11-12 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. James 5:10-11 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 4. Believing God s promises about our future develops patience Hebrews 10:36-37 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. James 5:7-8 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
BEARING SPIRITUAL FRUIT PATIENCE Our English word patience stands for two different New Testament Greek words. The first word, makrothumia, literally means long-temper. It has been defined as that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish. It is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy. The second word, hupomone, literally means remaining under. This is endurance during trials, Christian service, chastisement, or undeserved affliction. It also involves persistence and perseverance in well doing, fruit bearing, and running the race of life. (W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). Patience describes the proper Christian attitude or reaction in a variety of situations. Situations that Require Patience: 1. We need patience The word longsuffering (KJV) is the ability to suffer a long time under the mistreatment of others without growing resentful or bitter. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Ephesians 4:1-2 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. 2. We need patience We can t control what others do, but we can control our temper and our reactions. God sets the example by being extremely patient with rebellious people who despise His authority and ignore His commands. Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 1 Corinthians 13:5 (Love) doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. 3. We need patience This is probably the area in which we need the most patience. People constantly behave in ways that irritate or disappoint us. Hardly a day passes but one hears sneering remarks about the stupidity, the awkwardness, the ineptitude of others. - John Sanderson The Bible word forbearance (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13) means to put up with. Patience is gracious tolerance of another s faults.
Jesus taught a powerful lesson on fault-finding and forbearance (Mt. 7:1-5). 4. We need patience God s timetable and plans are often different from ours. Abraham and Sarah lacked this kind of patience (Gen. 16). The Israelites lacked this kind of patience (Ex. 32). King Saul lacked this kind of patience (1 Sam. 13). King David displayed this kind of patience many times (Ps. 27:14; 40:1). 5. We need patience Longsuffering and forbearance involve patience with other people. Endurance and perseverance involve patience with our circumstances. James 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (trials); 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Trials always change our relationship with God. Either they drive us to Him, or they drive us away from Him. The extent of our fear of Him and our awareness of His love for us determine in which direction we will move. - Jerry Bridges Things that Develop Patience: 1. develops patience We should remember that God is just, faithful, forgiving, and unchangeable. Joseph trusted in God s providence. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Jesus set the example of trusting God,1 Pet. 2:20-23 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 2. develops patience Jesus parable of the unmerciful servant, Matthew 18:21-35 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 3. develops patience Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Hebrews 6:11-12 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. James 5:10-11 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 4. develops patience Hebrews 10:36-37 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. James 5:7-8 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
BEARING SPIRITUAL FRUIT PATIENCE Scriptures on Patience Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls. Romans 2:6-7 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. Romans 5:3-4 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope. Romans 8:24-25 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Ephesians 4:1-2 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Colossians 1:10-11 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Colossians 3:12-13 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Hebrews 6:11-12 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.