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Impatience

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1, 2 NIV)

Living a life of love would mean knowing what love is and knowing how Jesus expressed that love. Let me point to one aspect of this love. It is a small but important part of love.

Love is patient… (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV)

Patience is the first mentioned characteristic of love. We are told to be imitators of God. Then Jesus must be an example of patience, for we imitate examples.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16 NIV)

Love is kind… (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV)
Kindness is the second characteristic of love.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4 NIV)

Unlimited patience and kindness both result in mercy. They are seen together in Romans 2:4:
Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? (NIV)

If we are impatient with wives or husbands, children, fellow workers and even to the unconverted, we are not living a life of love.

(An excerpt from On Being a Christian by Jim Wilson)

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