An inmate noted that we sometimes "try" way to hard to be followers of Christ. We try to "be" Christians. We often try to be followers of Christ by changing our behavior. The fact is though, that will never happen. No matter how hard you or I try, we can NEVER change the inside, the part of us that defines us, the important part, the part of us God sees, cares about and loves, from the outside.
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians points this out. He calls this the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:18). Paul is referring to the fact that it's the things inside us, the way we treat others, "humbly out of love", are the signs of those who believe. The way we ARE on the inside is what matters.
The fact that these come from the inside - not some external force making us behave a certain way, is the way God works.Thats what Paul was saying. He tells them if they want to be circumcised (an external sign) then they will be judged by the law and that Jesus and the freedom He brings is irrelevant to them! He is saying to them God, through Jesus, works from the inside out not the outside in!
Jesus tells us this in many places and in many ways. At one point (I get the feeling He is tired of making a point He had made many times before) He tells the religious leaders that it is what is on the inside of the cup that matters not the outside.
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- Praise
- pray
Patience = Greek word “hupermone” – compound of “hupo” = under and “meno” = abide – together, literally means to abide under. The idea is enduring under a load.
Dictionary.com defines patience this way:
- the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
- an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
- quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.
James
2-6(read) out of KJV
Now out of NLT - 2 Dear
brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity
for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is
tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it
grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and
complete, needing nothing.
- James tells us that the only way for us to develop patience is to go through some stuff. Then he tells us to go ahead and take and let good, (patience) come out of it.
Romans 8:28 tells us this will happen if we
love The Lord.
Roman
8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, and
who have been called according to his purpose.
(ALL
OF US CALLED TO HIS PURPOSE)
Romans
15:5 (God
is the God of patience)
5 May God, who gives this
patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other,
as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus
- How does God show us show patience?
Encouragement
-
Jeremiah 33:3, James 1:5
Harmony
with others - 1 John 4:8, Rom 8:39
God
is telling us that patience, harmony and encouragement (of others)
go together. Since love is the most important thing, 1 Cor a3:13 we can
draw a parallel on how important patience is.
James 5:11 (Patience
Exemplified)
11 We give great honor to those who
endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great
endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is
full of tenderness and mercy.
1. With regard to the definitions we have
read, how does point to, and encourage us?
Job
Job
1:21 He said, “I came naked from my
mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
The Lord gave me what I had and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
Hebrews 6:12
Then you will not become spiritually dull and
indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to
inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance
Heb 6:15 - Then Abraham waited patiently,
and he received what God had promised.
1. How does this show patience?
2.
is faith involved?
–
3.
After
reading about Job’s trials and Heb 6:12 &15 is faith in God an element of patience?
·
An example of patient faith:
ACTS 8:26 – 40
·
Phillip had patience with the
Ethiopian eunuch to teach and endure his ignorance of The Gospel
·
Phillip patiently waited for the
opportunity to fulfill the general calling we all have “to be ready in season
and out of season”
Lamentations 3:26 (New Living Translation)
So it is good to wait
quietly for salvation from the Lord
Romans 12:12
12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be
patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Galatians 6:9
So
let’s not get tired of doing what is good.
· At just the right time we will reap a
harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. For our own good and well being.
- Why should we exercise patience?
- Do we benefit from showing patience?
- Do others benefit
- Do we benefit from other benefiting?
- How?
