Patience, A Christian Virtue
Rod Rutherford

We live in a busy, hurried world where we constantly come in contact with people, each of whom has his own unique appearance, personality, and way of doing things. Because of the quick pace of our lives and the differences in human nature which we daily encounter, we may often find our tempers rising, our blood boiling, and our irritation showing because things do not happen as we "think" they should.

What modern man needs, perhaps more than anything else, is a double portion of the old-fashioned virtue called patience. This is especially true for the Christian who must "let his light shine" at all times. The light of an angry, impatient Christian does not glow.

Patience, according to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Is: "Bearing or enduring pain, trials, or the like without complaint; exercising forbearance under provocation; long-suffering, expectant with calmness or without discontent; undisturbed by obstacles, delays, failures, etc; persevering."

The Greek word for patience, makrothumia, is often translated in the K.J.V. of the Bible as longsuffering or as forbearance. William Barclay, commenting on this word in Eph. 4:2 in his Daily Study Bible says, "It is the spirit which bears the sheer foolishness of men without irritation. It is the spirit which can suffer unpleasant people with graciousness and fools without complaint"

Patience is one of the things which become sound doctrine (Titus 2:1-2). It is one of the virtues which the man of God is commanded to have (1 Tim. 6:11) It is a virtue that is to be practiced without respect of persons, for the Apostle Paul tells us to "be patient toward all men." (1 Thess. 5:14). Indeed patience is a Christian grace without which the Christian character is not complete (2 Pet 1:5-6).

Many of the great men of the Bible had patience as a cardinal characteristic. Job, for example, was a man of great patience so much so that "Remember the patience of Job" has become a proverb among Bible believing people (James 5:11). Job was a wealthy, happy, family man, but in a very short period of time, lost everything, possessions, children, respect, and finally, his health (Job 1:2). In spite of this, he patiently endured, refusing to renounce God. In the end, he was abundantly blessed by the Lord for his great patience (Job 2:9-10; 42:12).

Patience is an outgrowth of Christian love (1 Cor. 13:4). It is often produced by suffering, hardship, and persecution. Paul says, 'Tribulation worketh patience" (Rom. 5:3). James says, "The trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3).

Let each of us strive to be more patient with those around us that our lights may so shine that men will glorify our Father In heaven (Matt. 5: 16).❧

Personal Work Group B
Personal Work “Team B” will have a short meeting today (Sunday) in the annex, immediately after the morning services. Following the meeting there will be a light lunch. See Nancy Norton if you have any questions or if you’re not sure which team you are on.

• There are several Gospel Meetings either in progress or coming soon (including Springhead in Plant City, South Fla. Ave. in Lakeland, and Hilltop in Winter Haven. Check the bulletin board for dates, times and speakers.

• Nov. 2, 2002 - Central Fla Bible Camp
Banquet
See bulletin board for details.

• Jan 20-23, 2003 - Fla. School of Preaching
28th Annual Lecturship.
"Do You Understand Fellowship"
Complete schedules are posted online