The Fruit Of The Spirit (3)
Notes
Transcript
The Fruit of Patience
The Fruit of Patience
Patience. Ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or circumstances without losing one’s temper, without becoming irritated and angry, or without taking vengeance. It includes 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. Two different Greek words are translated by kjv translators with the word “patience.” One of the words has the idea of “remaining firm under” tests and trials and is better translated “endurance” or “steadfastness.” The other Greek word is related to the above Hebrew meaning and refers to patience as “long-spiritedness” or “calmness of spirit” even though under severe provocation to lose one’s temper.
The great biblical illustration of patience in operation is God himself. Several passages speak of him, in conjunction with other gracious attributes, as “slow to anger.” In a context which stresses Israel’s rebellion and provocation of God, he is contrasted as a God who is forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness (Neh 9:17). The psalmist declares, “Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ps 86:15; see also Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Ps 103:8; Jl 2:13; Jon 4:2). In addition, the virtue of a patient spirit on the part of mankind is extolled in the OT, especially in Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 25:15; see also Eccl 7:8).
Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued would grow into oppressions. Expedience and right are different things.
Thomas Paine
Being patient does not mean do nothing!
What do we need to be patient in? What is the fruit of Patience?
I. PATIENT IN TEMPTATION
I. PATIENT IN TEMPTATION
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Be patient when you are tempted. God knows how much you can bear and will not allow you to be tempted beyond that. He will give you the strength that is needed to overcome all temptations.
B. Result of temptation—
James 1:2, 3
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Temptation teaches patience. Temptation is not sin until one yields to it.
C. Release from temptation—
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
He knows how to deliver the godly from temptation. As we live godly lives, He will free us from all temptation.
D. Rewards in temptation—
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
After we have been tried, He will reward us in heaven, as well as on earth.
II. PATIENT IN TROUBLES
II. PATIENT IN TROUBLES
A. Attitude—
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Being patient during tribulation is one of the hardest things to practice. God doesn’t always deliver from trouble, but He will help us go through it. Patience in trouble shows stability.
B. Affect—
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
All need patience in time of trouble.
1. Patience—“For ye have need of patience.”
2. Promise—“After ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
C. Answer—
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Note how the psalmist waits patiently on the Lord. He was in no hurry. Isaiah tells the value of waiting before God
Isa. 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run, and not be weary; And they shall walk, and not faint.
III. PATIENT IN TRIALS
III. PATIENT IN TRIALS
A. The work of patience—
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
We are to allow patience to have her perfect work. Patience not only tests us; it purifies us. It teaches us complete dependence on God and allows God to have His will and way. Trials teach more than a smooth life can.
B. The waiting in patience—
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.
Be patient for the coming of the Lord. Though many long for His coming, we must remember He has a timetable. We must be patient, knowing that all our trials will end when He shall appear.
C. The way of patience—
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.
God is never late; He is always right on time.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls.