Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– George MacDonald
Opportunities
One of our church members recently asked us to pray for him to gain more patience, and after we did, one man said, “You know what that might mean, don’t you? If you want to become more patient, you might be given more opportunities to gain it.” In a perfect world, no patience would be necessary and you certainly couldn’t learn it, but in this world, we could all use a lot more of it but we also have a lot more opportunities to practice godly patience.
Salvation
When Jesus was giving the Parable of the Sower He came to the place where the seed (the Word of God) was sown on for that in the good soil, that “they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). It is sown in soft soil, perhaps representing a heart soften by God’s Spirit, and softer hearts hold onto the seed much better, and “in an honest and good heart” this seed will “bear fruit” but “with patience,” meaning, it takes time for the seed of God’s Word to sprout in their hearts. God is patient with us, so we must be patient with others who are not yet saved.
Godly Patience
The Apostle Paul asks the church at Rome, “do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Rom 2:4)? God waited patiently for us to come to faith in Christ. It is so that we might display godly patience before others in this world, including the church of course. Some Bible studies have become a bit contentious at times, and so it is better to say nothing at all, than to say something that fans the flame.
Eternal Life
2:25), but the patience of the saints in this life will eventually lead to a time when “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (Rom 2:6-7). Note one very important thing; our works, done patiently over time, are to be done for the glory of God. It’s not that patience of the saints leads to eternal life because that’s through Christ alone (Acts 4:12; Eph 2:8-9), but those who have eternal life more often practice patience in this life, and they are doing things for the glory of God.
Conclusion
What if the Lord had returned the year before you or I was saved? That would have been disastrous, but the Apostle Peter said, “count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him” (2nd Pet 3:15). God is exceedingly patient, but a day will come when the Son of God returns to judge the world in righteousness, and then for those “do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” (Rom2:8). That’s why it’s our duty to warn them.
