Patience

Love is patient.

Seems pretty self explanatory right? Well, when thinking of Love being a gut reaction and patience and kindness being the definition of love, I have to conclude that my gut reaction must be patience and kindness as well if I am going to love as I am commanded to, or in other words, if I am going to "walk as he walked." (1 John 2:6)

Patience in the greek goes far beyond getting angry on the inside but controlling oneself enough not to explode on the outside. I am instantly and momentously reminded that NOTHING good comes from me. These things, love and patience must flow from the Father into my life and then out to others for me to even have a chance of truly displaying these characteristics. Because you see, there really is also a way to "fake" these things. There is a way to muster these things up on our own, in a way in which people can believe we are really loving. But again, nothing that we are "faking" even matters in our spiritual journey because God only cares about the condition of our heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

And so on with patience, patience as defined in the original language is: not losing heart, bravely enduring misfortunes and troubles, being patient in bearing offenses and injuries, long suffering, slow to anger, and slow to punish. When I see patience for what it really is, I am again instantly drawn to Christ, realizing that nothing in my flesh is patient. I need Him to work through me, not for the fake stuff but for the genuine gut reaction patience that I desperately need for my family, friends, and again even my enemies.

I think the part of the definition that "gets me" the most is "being patient in bearing offenses and injuries." This means when someone hurts me in whatever way, I am to bear patiently what has happened to me, even if I don't get an apology, even if the other person doesn't even care. Do you see why I say these things must come from Christ alone?!

And kindness. Well, that one will have to wait. Until then, I pray that I can abide (John 15) in the Father to have the hopes of receiving His patience that I may pass on to others around me. By His grace alone (1 Corinthians 15:10)....