The Fruit of the Spirit #4: Patience
Have you heard the phrase, “Patience is a virtue”? It comes from a narrative poem by William Langland (1360 – 1387). I like the one, “My patience is wearing thin.” My last devotional was about confession. So, I confess, over the past 6 or 7 months, patience was not a virtue — it was worn thin, and therefore, I’ll do my best to share some thoughts.
Acts 26:3 — “[E]specially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.”
In the above passage, we have Paul before Agrippa, defending his faith. One would believe defending your faith requires patience. As we know, Paul’s conversion was miraculous and happened quickly. He surely had the gift of evangelism. I need to cultivate a relationship, and that requires patience.
Paul writes two passages where we find the word “patience;” the KJV, uses “longsuffering.” The Greek word is “makrothymia.” It is the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate. In 1 Corinthians 13, he writes, “love is patient,” and then in Galatians 5, we find patience is one of the “fruits of the Spirit.”
The great love chapter, and the fruit of the Spirit, were both penned by Paul, and both are to be qualities of Christians. Well, that’s it for me, I’m done, can’t do it. I mean, walking the dog tries my patience; so do waiting on hold for the next customer service agent, or standing in line to check out of the store. Shall I name a few more?
Seriously, patience is first of all a quality of God. He wants everyone to repent (2 Peter 3:9), to be saved (3:15), so therefore He delays punishment (Romans 2:4). God waited patiently for the ark to be built, and He’s been more than patient with us (and the current national situation). We have a difficult time waiting for supper to be served.
Look at the list of the “desires of the flesh” in Galatians 5. Very extensive, compared to “the fruit of the Spirit” If we belong to Christ Jesus, those fleshly desires have been crucified. It’s to our benefit to be fruit bearers, and as such, patience will happen.
Finally, Paul states, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1– 2). It all comes back to love and grace! Help each other to cultivate this fruit in our lives!
Peace and grace,
Tom Dye