Episode 107 - PATIENCE
Living The Fruit-Filled Life
Bearing with One Another in Love
Ephesians 4:1-2; Colossians 3:12-13
PATIENCE: Bearing with One Another in Love
Ephesians 4:1-3 - I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I. Patience authenticates our walk with the Lord.
a. This word for Patience, often translated long-suffering is a self-restraint of the mind before it gives room to action or passion. This means there is actually a ‘spiritual pause button’ located somewhere between our brain and our tongue!
b. This word, translated Patience means a forbearance with respect to people, while Endurance is patience with respect to circumstances. In Eph 4 we see Humility, gentleness and patience are all needed in our walk with the Lord.
c. With respect to God, our Father– His patience, as described in Romans 2:4, is associated with His mercy toward us - “Or 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?”
d. Apart from His patience and mercy, where would you be today? Think of the pile of ashes at the end of a lightening strike, and you’d be close! How long is His long-suffering with us?!
II. Patience is surrounded by the other Fruit of the Spirit! We have seen before how they play off of each other in our fruit-filled lives.
a. The 9 fruit work in concert and combination as we see in Ephesians 4 and also in Colossians 3
b. Colossians 3 - 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
III. Patience requires a willingness to Forgive!
a. Peacemaking Forgiveness Promises
i. I will not dwell on this incident
ii. I will not bring it up & use it against you
iii. I will not talk to others about it
iv. I will not allow this to stand between us
b. Born out of a healthy recognition of how much forgiveness God has shown to us.
i. Pause and ponder all He has forgiven you for!
c. Again, He is patient with us. So much so, that we see…
IV. His patience with us bears witness to others, that they too may be saved!
a. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
b. Anyone can be saved – Whosoever – Romans 10:13
V. We patiently wait for His return!
a. James 5:7-8
Farmers understand; gardeners understand…watermelon seeds to watermelons – People are all in process – if you want to see and experience the goodness of the ripe watermelon, you have to plant the seed, patiently water and weed (invest your time, not just passive waiting, but active patience!); and in 90 days; you can be enjoying the fruit.
People develop in much the same way, just not as fast; and, they need watering and nurturing from the WORD, the Spirit, the Church, other Christ-followers like you – Philippians 1:6 & 2:12 – this all requires God’s patience, which is guaranteed; and our patience, hopefully assured, by our recognition of how patient God has been with us!
The Fruit of the Spirit is Patience!
Friends: Do you recognize how patient God has been with you? Are you grateful? Are you surrendered to His perfect patience in perfecting your life and saving your soul? Why not surrender it all today?
Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:
Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692
