Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22).

Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is something that comes with our forgiveness, our salvation.

God is patient.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance...And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him” (2 Peter 3:9,15).

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).

When He saved us, He gave us this likeness of Himself.

However it is a virtue that is existent without the use of the word. When we use the word “patient” we are probably impatient. “I have waited for you, patiently, for 20 minutes” means I have waited impatiently. If I were patient, I would not use the word.

Having given us His patience, He then commands us to use this patience.

“...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Notice this virtue is connected with love, humility, gentleness, and kindness. Because it is part of what we are as Christians, it is possible to practice it.

In the Lord Jesus Christ,

Jim Wilson

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