Patience

by Wayne Blank

Patience can be generally defined as "good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence," but Biblical patience is more about perseverance, to "be persistent, to refuse to give up." Biblical patience is more than just "sit and be patient" - it's do and be patient.

"The God of patience"

Wheat In Jesus' "parable of the sower," successful Christian life is compared to growth of a crop that requires care, time, and patience:

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved."
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."
"And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:11-15 KJV)

The principle of Biblical patience is often a matter of "No Pain, No Gain":

"we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:1-4 KJV)

The Seasons Of The Harvest require patience:

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (James 5:7-8 KJV)

The "God of patience" provides time for us to grow:

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus" (Romans 15:4-5 KJV)

Fact Finder: What should Christians be doing while they're being patient?
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