Patience and Peace, Part One
It seems to me that patience and peace can be considered twin virtues. Can we have one without the other?
In Ecclesiates, Solomon observed: "The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit" (7:8).
Writing to the Galatians, Paul reminded them of this: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (5:22-23).
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul admonished them: "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (4:1-3).
Writing to the Colossians, Paul told them of his prayer for them: "For this reason also, since the days we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (1:9-12).
Later in his letter to the Colossians, Paul would write: "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (3:12-13).
James would remind his readers: "As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10).
In Peter's first letter, the apostle made a timely comparison: "For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God" (2:20).
(Look for Patience and Peace, Part Two, next week, April 28)
In Ecclesiates, Solomon observed: "The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit" (7:8).
Writing to the Galatians, Paul reminded them of this: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (5:22-23).
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul admonished them: "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (4:1-3).
Writing to the Colossians, Paul told them of his prayer for them: "For this reason also, since the days we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (1:9-12).
Later in his letter to the Colossians, Paul would write: "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (3:12-13).
James would remind his readers: "As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10).
In Peter's first letter, the apostle made a timely comparison: "For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God" (2:20).
(Look for Patience and Peace, Part Two, next week, April 28)
posted by Ebeth | 8:51 AM
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