His Nature — Patience
April 28, 2024 / One Life ChurchHis Nature — Patience
Jason Hubbard
Our goal is to continually grow in our understanding of the nature of God, and as we do, to be shaped by Him.
Galatians 5:22-26 BSB – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
Patience is defined as longsuffering, fortitude, resilience, determination, and perseverance.
2 Peter 3:9 BSB – The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
1. We can patiently endure all things because we are filled with the Spirit of our patient God.
Matthew 6:16 BSB – When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
The Patient Life of Paul:
2 Corinthians 11:24-28 BSB – Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers, in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
2. An eternal perspective enables us to live a life of resilience and determination.
Philippians 1:21-23 BSB – For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Galatians 6:9 NLT – So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
3. Patience requires positioning ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.
The Patient life of Helen Keller:
4. The key to resilience and determination is to rest in Christ.
Psalm 37:7-9 BSB – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm. For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.