One of the best examples of the patience of Jesus is seen in his reply to Peter, after healing the ear in which Peter had cut off from Malchus’ head, (Matthew 26:53) Mercy in action was powerful as the fact of Christ’s angels were being withheld from delivering Jesus, but Malchus got deliverance from Jesus. In-turn, Malchus and the soldiers would send Jesus off to be condemned & crucified. But Jesus was patient with the impetus Peter and all of the false-accusers that would torture him to death.
In light of God’s patience, we are to live out the virtue of patience toward others. In the New Testament, the virtue of patience is called a “fruit of the Spirit”, as the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 3:23). We are to pursue and pray for growth, by the power of the Spirit, to become more patient with ourselves, with God, and with others. In fact, Paul addresses this in Romans 2:4. Speaking to those who would judge others, yet live the same way, Paul says, “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”.
Paul continued his teaching of patience to Timothy in this manner, “This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them! But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” 1st Timothy 1:15-16
In fact, throughout the New Testament, believers are commanded to be patient. In Colossians 3:12-13, Paul says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive”. In Romans 12:12, we are called to “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer”. In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul entreats us, “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”. The bottom line, we are to practice the art of patience.
Love is PATIENT , love is kind, it is not envious, love does not brag, it is not puffed up (1st Corinthians 13:4) Let’s start here.
Epaggelia 