"Fruitfilled Friday" #4 Patience

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience... (Gal. 5:22)
"We who are strong ought to bear (patiently) with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1)

Def. Patience: the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation or the like; an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.
Opposite of Anger; closely associated with mercy
In our impatient, self-centered world, one quality of character has all but perished:longsuffering. Similiar to patience... It is not difficult to trace the source of biblical patience in God's children. 1 Cor. 13:4 states, "Love suffers long and is kind." Patience is directly associated with love and hope. A person who is longsuffering is not quick to retaliate or promptly punish someone who has insulted, offended, or harmed him.
Patience is a major characteristic of our God, longsuffering is one of 11 attributes of God; see (Ex. 34:6) Knowing this full well, should fill us with gratitude!
God relents from doing harm. His longsuffering is seen in His gracious restraint of His wrath towards those who deserve it. Despite the rebellious condition of the world, He waited patiently for 120 years while Noah built the ark and gathered the animals. see (Joel 2:13) read Noah's story beg. (GEN. ch.6)
God's patience delays His wrath, allowing time for good to occur. In combination with patience, the qualities of grace, mercy, lovingkindness, goodness, and truth allow God to work with people so they can remain alive and eventually transform into His image. If God struck out at people just as short-fused humans frequently do, no one would be alive today. Jonah, in a typically human reaction, wanted God to wipe the sinners of Ninevah, Israel's enemy, off the face of the earth! The entire book of Jonah; just 4 short ch. is full of God showing His patience!
"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:9 NLT) Christ's patient and enduring handling of sinners demonstrates His longsuffering. God promises that He will be long-tempered with us as we repent and dedicate ourselves to the obedience and service of God. As in everything else, Jesus Christ sets the standard of longsuffering.
*Bearing with others who are working out their salvation. Being slow to anger.*

"By standing firm (patiently) you will gain life." (Luke 21:19)

Patiently HIS!!
JKEST-Vicki