Sunday, December 28, 2008

Patience (Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore)

Patience is from two Greek words: (1) "hupomone": meaning patience in circumstances meaning to persevere, bear up under, endure and is inspired by hope such as Job had; and (2) "Makrothumia" meaning long suffering, forbearance, self-restraint related to people and inspired by mercy. The fruit of the Spirit quality of patience is from the second word, relating to people. When we are filled with God's Spirit, he enables us to forgive others, show mercy to them as God as shown to us and thus be patient with them as God is patient.

I thought it was very interesting how forgiveness actually plays such a big part in showing patience to others. I never realized before either that patience was broken down into two separate categories in the Greek. I found that to be very interesting once I got into it and saw the difference.

God is patient with us and forgives us so it shouldn't be all that hard for us to forgive others. (Matthew 18:21-35 is the parable Jesus told about the unmerciful servant that this truth is based.)

To recap the fruits discussed so far, love never fails, joy cometh, peace rules and patience waits.

3 comments:

Mary said...

Patience is a hard fruit to obtain!

Unknown said...

It is my worse asset that is for sure. It seems like the older I get the less I have, lol! I hope you are having a great weekend.

Jodi

The Silver Age Sara said...

Karen, That was so interesting. I don't have a trouble with patience but I surely struggled with forgiveness after my husband was killed. In the end, if you don't forgive and become filled with the spirit of God, then I think your life becomes malignant.
Thanks so much for such interesting information. I've been meaning to buy the book because it sounds so well worth reading and studying.

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