Patience

A bumper stick says, “Lord, give me patience – Right Now!” Patience is an attitude that many desire but is fleeting at best. Scripture considers patience to be the crowning virtue of mankind. In fact, it was the apostle Peter who spoke of how we could partake of the divine nature when he said, “and beside this, giving all diligence, to add to your faith virtue; and to your virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. For IF these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8). Having the right attitude is not enough to cultivate patience as we notice that Peter says that the above-named virtues should abound in us when we have given all diligence to add them to our faith. Paul wrote, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

                                                                             Two Greek Words

In the New Testament the English word patience has been translated from two Greek words:

1. Hupomone: “Literally, ‘an abiding under,’ invariably rendered ‘patience,’ which grows only in trial (James 1:3). This has been described as “one of the noblest of New Testament words.”

2. Makrothumia: “Rendered patience in Hebrews 6:12 and James 5:10 also longsuffering. The verb (makrothumeo), to be long-tempered, is translated "to have patience, or to be patient" (Matthew 18:26, 29; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; James 5:7; Hebrews 6:15), "having patiently endured." There are two other words translated as “patience,” but only used once: episikes (1 Timothy 3:3) translated as ‘gentle,’ and anechikakos (2 Timothy 2:24) translated ‘forbear.’

                                                                          The Meaning of Patience

     Patience is viewed as one of the noblest words of the New Testament because it is one of God’s characteristics as pointed out by Paul; “Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering (patience), not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4). God’s longsuffering (patience) towards us who are considered vessels of wrath fit for destruction, is only possible because of His holiness, mercy and love (Romans 9:22). We are all very fortunate that God is not a man because He would have lost His patience with us long ago.

     Consider what Paul told his young apprentice Timothy, “Preach the word in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering (patience) and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). There are times when the patience of gospel preachers is tried due to the apathy of brethren. Preachers sometimes forget that God has been longsuffering with them and expects them to reciprocate (1 Timothy 1:16). Yes, we are to endure trials and afflictions, but patience has a deeper meaning than that.

     Lest we forget that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior left us all with an example to follow. When He prayed all night and found His disciples sleeping, He was patient. While He slept at the hinder part of the boat when the storm swelled upon the sea and His disciples woke Him to do something about it, He patiently calmed the wind and the waves. As Pilates soldiers made fun of Him, He patiently took their mockery. Chrysostom claimed that patience is the queen of virtues and foundation of right actions. It is only through the trials and tribulations of life that we are able with Christlikeness to acquire the character of longsuffering (patience). It is only through patience and comfort of the Scriptures what we can obtain and maintain hope (Romans 15:4-5).

    It is through the Word of God that we are filled with knowledge of God’s will and all spiritual understanding. Discovering how to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work…unto all patience and longsuffering with joy (Colossians 1:9-11). Paul reminds us that as God’s children we are to flee all kinds of evil, of which the root of it is the love for money, but rather to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, meekness and patience (1 Timothy 6:10-11).

                                                                 Virtues Connected to Patience

     Believe it or not tribulation is connected to godly patience! “We also rejoice in our tribulations; knowing that tribulation worketh steadfastness (patience)” (Romans 5:3). Many Christians in the first century were commended for faith and patience amidst persecutions and tribulations (2 Thessalonians 1:4; Romans 12:12; Revelation 1:9; 3:10). James wrote, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into manifold temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Since faith is not passive but is supposed to be proved by various works required by God, should patience be any different? Adding patience in a diligent manner to one’s faith, faith is made complete. For it was James who pointed out that faith without works (action) is a dead faith (James 2:26).

     Now that we have established that tribulation and faith are connected to patience, Paul adds the virtue of hope as we read that tribulation begets patience, and patience begets approvedness, and approvedness begets hope (Romans 5:3). Some contend that if you don’t believe we are still to live according to Old Testament Law, then you deny the Old Testament Scriptures. Yet Paul clearly informs us of the purpose for the Old Testament Scriptures when he wrote, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The things written aforetime of course are the Old Testament Scriptures. If it were not for the Old Testament we would not know how we came to be, or where sin came from or that God worked on His eternal plan through a peculiar people.

      Lastly, we find that joy is connected to patience as Paul pointed out to the Christians at Colossae, “…walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience (hupomone) and longsuffering (makrothumia) with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:10-11). The attitude of patience is often connected to a particular aim or goal we have set for ourselves, or that God expects of us. Paul told the Christians at Rome of God’s righteous judgment that, “To them who by patient [steadfastness] continuance in will doing for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life” (Romans 2:5-7). To his Hebrew brethren, Paul encouraged that they, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompence of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:34-36).

                                                                        Proving our Patience 

    How else could we possibly learn to be patient if it were not for the trials, temptations and tribulations in our lives? Developing patience through trials demonstrates a genuineness in our faith. James said, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into manifold temptations” (James 1:2). Literally, the above verse should read “trials” rather than temptations which better fits the context of the verse. God allows trials and temptations in our life for the purpose of proving, or testing us, He does not cause anything that would remove our choices. It was James who pointed out, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no man; but each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed” (James 1:13-15). God permitted the apostle Paul to be tested by the plots of certain Jews to murder him (Acts 20:19). No trial or temptation is pleasurable, but they are beneficial for every individual in the eternal scheme of things. God allows them for a purpose, to help mold and strengthen our character. But the choice is still ours, will we allow the tribulations, trials and temptations to strengthen our resolve to please God, or will they cause us to sink back into the devil’s world?

     In Genesis 22:1 the text tells that God tempted Abraham by asking him to offer his son Isaac. The word “tempted” is not meant to be understood in the way we have think of it, but that God “tested” Abraham’s faith. Of course, God through His omniscience knew the outcome, but Abraham didn’t. Brother Guy N. Woods shows us how trials, tribulations and temptations result in patience when he wrote: “Trials become a furnace through which the Christian passes and thus demonstrates the genuineness of his faith…Patience (hupomone) resulting from the proof of faith growing out of sore trial is much more than mere submissiveness. The Greek word thus translated has a much more active significance than our English word patience suggests. It means not only the willingness to bear up under the manifold burdens of life but also indicates the ability to use these burdens as instruments for good and greater glory.” The individual who is truly patient not only has the ability to endure trials without becoming cynical, or depressed, is one who obtains joy in knowing they have been tested to the glory of God. Every test in the midst of temptation, and tribulation should understand that such is the test of their life – eternal life.

                                                                            An Example of Patience

     Possibly the greatest example of an individual with patience, is the man Job. In fact, James draws attention to him in the fifth chapter of his letter: “…Ye have heard of the patience of Job…” (James 4:11). There we find a man who is described by God as one who was perfect, and upright, and one that feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1). God was so pleased with this man that He allowed Satan to test Job’s faithfulness (Job 1:8-12). He was a wealthy man, with many sons and daughters, lots of livestock, and in an instant at the hand of the Satan it was all lost. But the Satan was not finished with Job, again he challenged God that it was not enough for him to lose his material goods and children, if he lost his health, he would certainly denounce God (Job 2:3-6).

     After the Satan smote Job with sores and boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, and his wife encourage him to curse God and die, Job patiently answered “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10). In Job 1:22 we it is said of this man of God, “in all this Job sinned, not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22). Such cannot be said about most people today. Even insurance companies foolishly charge God that they are not responsible for “acts of God” which are not His acts whatsoever. They are acts of nature which sin brought into the world.

     Even Job’s so-called friends whom he assumed had come to bring him comfort, charge Job with the idea that there is some sin in his life he has not repented of that has caused this calamity. Job insists however on his innocence in the matter when he says, “behold, my witness is in heaven and He that voucheth for me is on high” (Job 16:19). And again, “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). He had no idea that God did in fact trust in him but allowed the Satan to bring about his great pain. In the end, however, having been tried in the fire of the furnace, he was proved as gold. God confirms Job’s insistence that he was innocent and restored his family and wealth double. The moral of the story? If we are patient and overcome all the trials of life, God will surely see that “all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, even those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:29).

                                                                                       Conclusion

     James affirms there are three things that produce patience:

1. “And let patience have it’s perfect work, that you may be perfect…” (James 1:4) – “perfect” means maturity, toward a given end or purpose.

2. “And let patience have it’s perfect work, that you may be entire…” (James 1:4b) – “entire” denotes being perfect in every part.

3. “And let patience have it’s perfect work, that you may be perfect, entire, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4c). – “lacking in nothing” refers to those who give up a struggle or fail to reach a high standard.

     Patience refers to just one quality of God’s character. Keep in mind it is not our choosing to fret and fume about the little things in life what will make us better individuals. It is the ability to patiently endure such things, that our character will grow to be like that of God’s. James said, “Be ye patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand…take, by brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience” (James 5:8, 10).