Love Is....Patient

Love Is...Patient

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

As we examine the biblical characteristics of love (agape), we must always keep in mind that the Bible tells us that God is love.  If God is love then all of these traits are fitting for Him as well.  We must also keep in mind that as Christians our top priority is to be like Christ.  If God is love, then Christ is love, then so should we be love, not just have love.

Love is patient.  It is interesting that love is first described as being patient.  This should slap us all in the face to some degree.  We all suffer with impatience whether it is with our spouse or kids, our co-workers, our fellow highway drivers, and even with God.  And in this microwave society our impatience is continually on the rise.

The Greek word to describe patience has also been translated as “long suffering”.  It addresses both inward and outward attitudes.  Inwardly it means to be of a long spirit, to not lose heart.  This description states that there are things you are going to have to wait for over a long period of time.  There are times when you have to plant your feet and decide that you are in this for the long haul. 

This is especially true when it comes to things that you are praying for.  Yes, there are some answers that come almost instantaneously, but there are others that will require some long-suffering.  Maybe it is the salvation of that lost loved one.  Maybe it is that much needed job promotion.  Whatever it is, it is a test of your love and devotion to God when you decide that nothing is going to move you, nothing is going to sway you, and you are going to continue in earnest prayer until you see that mountain moved.

The definition of patience not only speaks to our inward man, but also to our outward self and how we deal with those around us.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  The second part of patience is to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others;  to be mild and slow in avenging;  to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish.  Christian love is not only directed toward God, but also to our neighbor, and sometimes it is really hard to be patient with our neighbor.

There are always those few people whose personalities are the complete opposite of yours.  They are always doing something that gets on your nerves, and they can be the sole source of your frustration and anger.  But the very essence of patience is to be slow to anger and slow to punish.  When your anger rises up towards that individual, learn to recognize at that moment to collect yourself show love through patience.  This will completely upset your flesh, but your spirit will take leaps.

Patience is one of the key ingredients to unity, and God blesses unity. 

“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV.

“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.”

Proverbs 15:18, NIV.

If you want God to bless your life, seek for ways to have unity with your neighbor.  God will not only move in you, but also in others as you dwell together in unity.

Finally, we are commanded to be patient because God is patient with us.  How many times have we turned from God and went our own way.  The Lord has had every right to strike us dead on the spot, but He doesn’t because He is patient with us.  Jesus is always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9, NIV.

Jesus is patient with you because he genuinely loves you.  His desire is for you to be saved and not condemned.  If that is the attitude He has towards you, shouldn’t you strive to have the same attitude toward others?

This week ask God to increase your patience.  I guarantee that it won’t be easy, but each time you recognize the opportunity for patience and take it you are taking on more of the love and character of your heavenly Father.