Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Patience...

Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. There are two Greek words that translate "patience", Hupomone and Makrothumia. The word Hupomone possesses the meaning you most often associate with the word patience. It means to persevere, remain under...bearing up under. It refers to the quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. Hupomone is endurance in relation to "things or circumstances".

Hope inspires Hupomone. There are two kinds of hope. English definition of hope and the Biblical(Greek)meaning of hope. The English definition is a positive thought or wish toward something we might obtain. The biblical concept of hope is positive outlook toward an expected end. It is focused on what must happen not on what might happen. With all that said. Hupomone is perseverance, endurance and bearing up under difficult things or circumstances inspired by a beneficial expectation.

Makrothumia means forbearance, self-restraint before proceeding to action. It is the quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so. Makrothumis is patience in respect to persons while hupomone is endurance, putting up with things or circumstances. In 2 Timothy 3:10 and Colossians 1:10-12, Paul emphasizes the importance of being patient in respect to persons and enduring in respect to situation or circumstances. Hupomone is inspired by hope and Makrothumia is inspired by mercy.

We need to forbear and restrain ourselves when it comes to trying people and persevere with all hope and endurance through our physical circumstances. In neither case does God allow us to give up and/or complain! Whatever it is, a person who gives you grief or a situation that leaves you empty, we have a biblical hope that ensures our reward!

Hebrews 10:35-36 "So do not throw away your confidence: it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised!"

We have patience with others as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The things we hope and pray for in Christ will be taken care of and we WILL have victory over them.

The opposite of patience is judgement. We cannot be patient and judge at the same time! When we judge others, we judge ourselves. We are incapable of reading minds and judging hearts. Only God can do that!! Rom 2:2. When we judge others we are judging God. Our judgment reveals contempt for the riches of God's patience Rom 2:4. God desires to give every chance for the sinner to say "yes" to salvation.

"TIME is not nearly as important as God's timing!..Dr Adrian Rogers.

God's judgement is always righteous. Ours is tainted by flesh. Our judgement of others is tainted by our attitudes, our pasts, our personalities,and our positions. Only God is the perfectly righteous judge. "David would rather fall into the hand of God than that of man." 2 Samuel 24:14.

This is weighing on my heart lately so I wanted to share this with you. Thanks to Beth Moore, I am reminded of God's patience and strength to help me be more patient!

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