D: LONGSUFFERING (PATIENCE)
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4.
‘I don’t have time…’ ‘Come on hurry up…’ ‘You are wasting my time…’ ‘Let get it done quickly…’ These are the slogans of the world today and Christians have become the worst culprits. Do we know that being patient is a major part of Christian living? We have become impatient and because of this attitude we don’t hear God when He speaks to us and we also get into trouble and traps set by the devil. According to John Ritenbaugh, the quality of patience evokes images of stoicism, tolerance and passivity in most people’s mind. Though some of these elements are contained within the scope of what the Bible reveals this very important character trait, it is far too rich in meaning to be limited to them. God himself is patient. None of us has ever come close to exhibiting patience like God. Although one could not say we persecute Him as men persecute each other, yet in our own way we do bring a form of persecution on Him by our attitudes and way of life. We often live without care for His feelings about us and His creation, behaving as much of this words does, as though neither He nor His law exists.
In Romans 2:4, Paul talks about how God is patient and what his patience leads us to – Repentance. Take a look at Abraham; he was rewarded diligently after he waited patiently for the Lord.
Patience can be viewed as the attitude of the heart with respect to things whereas long – suffering is the attitude of the heart with respect to people. It is a virtue that God prizes highly in human beings and seems to be best developed under trials. Romans 5:3-4’ states that “and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” This is also seen in James 1:3-4. Look at how God delays his exercise of wrath to give time for repentance and amendment of life.
Do we enjoy this part of the fruit? Because we do not have patience, we easily get annoyed over things that happen around us. We end up not being like Christ.
A patient was given the wrong drug in the hospital which resulted in his death because; he didn’t have time to wait for the physician who was taking his time to sort the drug for every other patient. The result of patience is victory. We need this fruit badly because without it, we might even get tired of waiting for the second coming of the Lord.
Be patient – you cannot see the stars until it gets dark.
E. GENTLENESS (KINDNESS)
“Show a gentle attitude to everyone. The Lord is coming soon.” Philippians 4:5.
Being gentle has got to do with one’s behavior and gentleness is having or showing a kindly or tender nature. In the Bible, gentleness goes with kindness. This does not mean weakness as often viewed by the world. It takes a lot of “strength” to have this portion of the fruit. Don Hooser compares this to an Elephant “Elephants are so strong they have frequently been used for logging—to carry large logs and even uproot trees. But these giants are usually gentle, especially when tamed from a young age” (Meekness and Gentleness: strength with tender touch – Don Hooser)
Jesus is an extraordinary example of being gentle, meek and mild. Being gentle says a lot about people; both in kindness and the physical nature of a person. A man is said to be gentle when he is seen to be decent, disciplined and does his things in a very “balmy” manner; that is, the way he talks, walks, his smile, attitude and everything he does. A man is also gentle if he is kind, helpful, understanding and is a Christian. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said, ‘come to me, all whose work is hard, whose load is heavy; and I will give you relief. Bend your necks to my yoke, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble – hearted.’
Take a good look at how gentle Jesus was; in his speech, how He showed kindness to those who didn’t ‘deserve’ it and everything else He did. Do Christians of this present generation have this character trait ? We show kindness to only those who deserve it. We are gentle on the outside but deep within us, we are horrible – that’s Hypocrisy. Does our dressing portray gentleness? Do we care about the way we talk to people who are our subordinates?
Sometimes we think being gentle makes us stupid and ‘uncouth’. The pride in us prevents us from being gentle. We feel too big and too special to behave in a gentle manner towards others. Edward King quoted “…Gentleness is not weakness, but restrained strength”. Do we give polite answers to seemingly ‘stupid’ questions? Soft answers turn away wrath and it’s only those who are gentle who exhibits this trait in them. Being gentle makes us great and not stupid as some people perceive it. It makes us well – disciplined persons. There is no need to tell people that we are Christians because they see it on the outside of us by our gentle gestures.
(to be continued… )
Derrick Ofori Donkor – 12 Sept. 2013
MY STORY MODE 