The Biblical word “Patience” has been so limited that its effectiveness has greatly diminished. Patience seems to have limited its purpose to the here and now. In other words, patience is used for only immediate situations. The Believer waits with the resolve that God will answer his prayer. The problem is we water down Patience with impatience. By limiting Patience to immediate situations, we fail to understand the full implication of the word.
The word Patience comes from the Greek word hupomone, which means, “cheerful endurance.” The power of this word can open the door to a life of completeness. It is not to be used sparingly but as a way of life. It is literally believing and trusting that Jesus will bring about His purposes evidenced by our cheerful endurance.
The Epistle of James shares with us one aspect of Patience that is activated through times of temptation. Many times as we face trials and challenges, we cry out for Jesus to help us. Never have I seen so many Believers petitioning Jesus for help as during these challenging times that we live in. The cry of “come quickly Lord Jesus” has dominated the prayer lanes to Heaven. The look on so many Believers faces quickly identifies their ignorance of the true meaning of the word Patience. James even brings attention to those who “fall into divers’ temptations.” They should “count” those trials with full-throttled joy. The trying of one’s Faith opens the door for Patience to have “her perfect work.” Patience moves from challenging circumstances to a resting in the personage of Jesus. Matured Patience brings the Believer to a completeness where he “wants for nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
James continually hammers home the importance of Patience in the Believers’ life. He urges Christians to be Patient unto the coming of the Lord. As Patience has her perfect work, our hearts will become established as we cheerfully rest in Him knowing His Second Coming is imminent. (James 5:7, 8)
Instead of looking at Patience as a quick response to the difficult challenges in life, let us look at Patience as the doorway to Kingdom living. Believers tend to limit God to time restraints, whereas God’s Will supersedes time.
Through the knowledge of Scripture we are able to define Biblical terms, but it is only through wisdom that we know how to transfer those words into action. James states that if we lack wisdom we are to ask God who will grant us that wisdom. (James 1:5) Christians have a lot of knowledge, but lack how to put that knowledge to work. How do we put Patience into action? To understand Patience we need to have wisdom. Patience knows and grows in the assurance that God’s Will will be done according to His timing and not by our “watches.”
When we fail to allow Patience to have full reign in our lives, we will never learn to achieve victory over life’s problems.
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