Before We Get Gathered
Number 9: December 2, 2005
There are many popular sayings which incorporate the subject of patience. “Patience is a virtue.” “Have patience, you will get there in due time.” “Good things come to those who wait, so have patience.” “Patience? I don’t think so, I want it now.”
Patience means to bear up under, to endure, remain, be a hold out, hang in there, even if others have left. It implies that one is to be long-minded, slow to anger, seeing the big picture, the long range ramifications of their actions. It may include not insisting on just rights, waving just and legal redress, being actively considerate, and tempering strict justice with gentle equity.
Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ manifested extreme patience. He certainly saw the big picture, the long range ramifications of his actions. Since he endured to the complete end and finished the work he was sent to do, the believer can be patient also as he runs in the race of life.
Hebrews 12:1:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus showed great patience while on earth. He continually taught and trained his followers concerning the kingdom of God. He even had to teach them the same truths over and over again. Of his closes followers, one betrayed him, another denied him, a third doubted his greatest work.
However, since he manifested patience, his accomplishments were world-changing. In fact, even today, believing in them takes a man from death unto eternal life.
I John 5:11:
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
God is sending His son back to gather his Church. There is profit in patience, so be patient, hang in there, stand for Him until Christ returns. The wait and value of the reward will be great.
James 5:8:
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
II Thessalonians 3:5:
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.