Paul wrote to the Galatians the difference between the "works of the flesh" versus the "fruit of the Spirit." He says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience ..." and I have this sense of "Patience?" I mean, we're all good with "love, joy, peace," but ... patience? Who really wants patience?
The Greek word is "makrothumia," built on "makros" (where we get our word "macro" ... "large, long") and "thumos", meaning passion, fierceness. So when the King James refers to it as "longsuffering," it's pretty accurate. It is a trait God has ... toward us. (Rom 2:4). It is the ability to endure people, circumstances, or even injustice without retaliation. See? Why do we want that?
Well, another place the word is used in Paul's description of love (1 Cor 13:4). "Love is patient." So, if "patient" is part of the description of "love," and we are commanded to love (Matt 22:37-40) and be known for our love (John 13:35), it would seem that this would be a critical virtue. Fortunately ... it's not something we produce. It's a fruit of the Spirit. Of course, you know how He does it ... a lot of people, circumstances, and even injustice to endure without retaliation. Tough? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
1 comment:
I saw this quote once: "Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you but scorn in the one ahead."
More serious is the general warning to think carefully before you mutter, “Lord, give me patience!” You probably won’t like how God answers that prayer.
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