SABBATH THOUGHTS FOR YOUR WEEK

“Long of Nostrils” (Part 2)

“Have patience with me…” said the servant to his fellow servant. But, after having asked for the same thing from his lord, the fellow servant would not grant any patience or extension. When his lord heard what that he didn’t extend patience for one day’s pay when he himself receive complete forgiveness of a debt of 15 years worth of wages, the lord of that servant had him put in prison and punished until he could pay it all. Jesus’ lesson is this: “So will my Father in heaven do to you, if you do not everyone, from your hearts, give forgiveness to his brother.”

Note that “patience” (makrothumia) is equated with forgiveness. In other words to have patience with a person - to be slow to anger - is a form of forgiveness.

Patience (makrothumia) is defined as the state of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome. God had patience in the days of Noah (1Peter 3:20).

Paul said that Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom he was the chief one. But this mercy given to Paul was to show God’s patience to all those who would believe in Christ after Paul. “Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1Tim. 1:16).

It is written, “And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…” (2Pet. 3:15). God’s patience IS salvation! Just as patience is equated with mercy and forgiveness, it is here equated with salvation. And Paul is a living example of divine patience - a proof of God’s mercy to sinners and thus an example that Timothy (and the rest of us) should follow. “Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love and perseverance” (2 Tim. 3:10 NAU).

Ministers of the gospel must be patient. Paul exhorts, “Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great (all) patience and instruction” (2Tim. 4:2 NAU). We are to preach the word and be patient to let the Holy Spirit do its work in the lives of God’s people. People must be given time to grow and change.
The Apostle Paul incorporates “makrothumia” (patience) in the virtues referred to as the “fruit of the Spirit.” See Gal. 5:22). God’s power strengthens us fore the attaining of all patience (Col. 1:11). And as those who have been chosen to be holy and beloved, we are to “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12 NAU). Furthermore, Christians are exhorted to “show tolerance for one another” with “all humility and gentleness and patience” (Eph. 4:2 NAU).

It is “through faith and patience” (“makrothumia”) that we will inherit the promises (Heb. 6:12). We are exhorted by James to “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord…” We are told to follow the example of prophets and Job remembering that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. See James 5:7-11.

Paul exhorts us to “be patient with all men (everyone)” (1 Thes. 5:14).

We can speak with the tongues of men and angels but our speech is nothing but an irritating gong without love. We know that we can have the gift of prophecy, faith that will move mountains, dedication to the point of self-sacrifice - but if we do not have love we are nothing. But what IS this love. Paul defines it and at the TOP of his list he wrote: “Love is PATIENT…” (1Cor. 13:4).