The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Introductory commentary by Ken Pullen

We can proclaim many things with our tongues and lips, we can profess this, or that, but what is real and true within the heart, the spirit, the soul and body is our deeds. Our true character. A good barometer of having the fruits of the Spirit indwelling and being revealed in us is not in what we say, but in what we do. How we live. Each moment of each day. Is the Spirit in us and working? Or do we pretend? Do we grieve Jesus and God to where They can have no part in what we are saying or doing, since They can have no part in sin or evil? Do we grieve Them to the point They must be removed from our words and deeds?

If we use excuses, if we continue to live and say things such as, “Well, this is just who I am!,” or “Well, this is how God made me!,” and we do not allow the Spirit of God to TRULY live and work within us? Renewing our mind and spirit and we merely go through some motions? We pretend? We are none of His.

The fruit of the Spirit indwelling and working causes change. Dramatic change within an individual.

A normally impatient, angry person who first thinks of retaliation and revenge? Or just plain being impatient? If they are unable, incapable, or sorely lacking in self-control turning to and trusting in — completely — the Spirit of God, the power of the Spirit of Christ to indwell and work within them?

They are none of His.

No excuses.

Yes, we all fail and fall short countless times. I fall short. We all do.

But are we paying attention and growing in faith? Growing in grace? Growing in our spiritual lives, in our walk with Christ along side of us? Or are we falling back, not walking alongside Christ due to our stumbling and lack of self-control, our excuse making? Being weak in the faith and not maturing?

We all need to mature in our natural fleshly bodies.

Why do we fight and refuse to mature in our spiritual lives?

No excuses.

Let us not continue to grieve the Spirit of God. Let us mature and submit and obey and allow God and Christ in their infinite power to help us overcome and not continue to be weak in allowing this world, our flesh, and the devil to hold sway in our lives removing us from the level and degree of spiritual maturity, spiritual treasure we can have in Jesus Christ if only we would allow Him to rule in our lives.

Ken Pullen

ACP

Sunday, October, 23rd, 2016

The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Commentary by — John W. Ritenbaugh

1 Thessalonians 5:15

(15) See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

  Matthew 5:39-45

(39) But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (40) And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. (41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (42) Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (43) Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
King James Version

Two wrongs do not make a right, and in our irritated or angry impatience, we frequently say or do something just as bad or worse as was done to us! Then where are we? Often, our patience does not delay our wrath as God’s does.

The obvious meaning of Paul’s advice is that we should not take vengeance. In Romans 12:19, Paul repeats this more plainly:

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

This, in turn, feeds directly into Jesus‘ teaching in Matthew 5:39-45:

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

The consistent instruction is that we not set ourselves against an evil person who is injuring us, whether verbally, physically or judicially. Rather, Jesus teaches us to be willing to give the offender something that might defuse the immediate situation—and perhaps even provide some small example that will promote his eternal welfare. Patience is of great value in this respect.

This in no way means we are weak, though to them we may at first seem so. Nor does it mean that we approve of their conduct. Though we may hate their conduct and suffer keenly when it affects us, Christ tells us to bless them, meaning we should confer favor upon or give benefits to them. We can do this by wishing the person well, speaking kindly of and to him, and seeking to do him good.

Situations like this may be the most difficult test we will ever face. Patiently deferring retaliation and committing the circumstance to God’s judgment are indispensable to the best possible solution. But the primary point of Jesus’ instruction, however, is not how to resolve these situations, but that we may be children of our Father. By imitating God’s pattern, we will resemble Him and take a giant stride toward being in His image.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Related Topics:
Anger
Impatience
Patience
Retaliation
Revenge
Self Control
Vengeance
Wrath