PATIENCE
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. At one time or another, probably all of us have said, "I should
have been more patient."
B. Patience is one of the Christian graces or virtues Peter
enjoined in 2 Peter 1:5-8.
1. It's also part of the fruit of the Spirit required in
Galatians 5:22-23.
C. Thus, God requires that we develop patience in our lives.
1. Let us seek to comprehend the true and full meaning of
patience and how to acquire it in our lives.
2. Let us ask and answer some important questions about
patience.
I. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS PATIENCE?
A. There are two important Greek words translated "patience" with
different meanings.
1. "Hupomone" - Literally, "To abide under"; thus,
steadfastness, perseverance, endurance.
2. W.E. Vine defines "hupomone,"as "That quality that does
not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial;
opposite of despondency and is associated with hope. (1
Thess. 1:3)."
a. This word is usually connected with trials and
tribulations. Rom. 12:12
b. It indicates persistence, perseverance in doing God's
will. Rom. 2:7; Luke 8:15; Heb. 12:1
B. Makrothumia - Sometimes translated "patience," as well as
"longsuffering."
1. Literally, "long-tempered"; thus, it includes forbearance,
longsuffering, tolerance.
2. W.E. Vine defines "makrothumia," as "That quality of self-
restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily
retaliate or promptly punish. It is opposite of anger and is
associated with mercy."
3. This meaning of the word is close to the normal use of
"patience" in our English language today, as defined by
Webster: "To calmly tolerate delay, frustration, or
confusion."
a. This word is often used to describe the patience of God.
1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:9
b. This word usually has reference to our attitude toward
other people. Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12-13
4. There are some passages which use both ideas: perseverance
and longsuffering. 2 Cor. 6:4-6; Col. 1:11
II. WHY DO WE NEED PATIENCE?
A. The very definitions of patience are enough to show its
importance.
1. None can go to heaven who quit under trials and afflictions.
Heb. 6:11-12;10:36-39
2. None can go to heaven without being longsuffering. We are
commanded to be patient (longsuffering) toward all. 1 Thess.
5:14
3. Thus, we must persevere and be longsuffering in all things.
a. There is a story about a old mule who fell into a large
well which had no water in it. The farmer said that it
wasn't worth the trouble to try to get the old mule out
of the well. Also, the well was of no use without water.
Thus, he decided to just bury the mule in the well. He
called all his friends and neighbors to help him bury the
mule. However, every time they threw dirt on the mule
he would just "shake it off and step up." They kept
throwing dirt and he kept "shaking it off and stepping
up." Finally, after many hours of this, the mule stepped
out of the well! The moral is: "When we are battered by
all kinds of things which aggravate and frustrate us,
when people are throwing dirt on us, just 'Shake it off
and step up.'"
B. We need patience, for without it, life can be miserable.
1. We feel guilty when we quit anything.
a. The truly miserable person is the one who knows he has
quit serving God.
b. If one is not miserable now, he certainly will be when he
faces God in judgment.
2. We can ruin our health when we don't have patience.
a. It isn't worth it to have ulcers, high blood pressure, or
headaches over traffic lights, long freight trains, rush-
hour traffic, etc. etc.
b. Some people should stay out of cars: drunks, and the
impatient. Both can be hazardous to one's life.
C. We need "patience" in our homes.
1. In our homes is where we have the greatest tests of
patience, and we often fail miserably.
2. Husbands need to be patient with their wives, and wives
need to be patient with their husbands.
a. We can patiently offer help and encouragement so that
our companions will grow and be better persons or, we
can brow-beat, bully, and discourage them until all the
strength and happiness is taken out of them.
3. Parents need patience with their children. Lack of patience
has led to child abuse.
D. We need patience because it keeps us from committing the sin of
murmuring. James 5:7-9; 1 Cor. 10:10-11
1. The person with patience does not murmur about trials and
tribulations. He accepts them as part of life. 1 Pet. 4:12
2. He learns to accept the things he cannot change. He knows
that no amount of complaining or fussing will make the
freight train go faster.
3. He does not murmur about the weakness of others.
E. We need patience in order to become a complete, mature
Christian. James 1:2-4
III. HOW DO WE OBTAIN PATIENCE?
A. Like many other things, we acquire it with help from God. Col.
1:11
1. If God will grant us wisdom, will He not also give patience?
James 1:5
2. Some seem to want God to supply it miraculously; as one
prayed, "Lord I want patience and I want it NOW!"
B. God gives patience but in this indirect way.
1. The Scriptures themselves produce patience. Rom. 15:4
a. He gives us the Bible with examples of those who were
patient. James 5:10-11; Heb. 6:12
b. His own Son gave us the example of endurance. Rev.
1:9; 3:10
2. He permits trials because they are necessary to obtaining
patience. 1 Pet. 1:6-7; Job 23:10
C. Love helps. 1 Cor. 13:4,7
1. Love for God helps us to persevere and be steadfast.
2. Love for our fellowman helps us to be longsuffering.
D. Diligence is necessary. 2 Pet. 1:5-6
1. A lackadaisical attempt at developing patience won't get the
job done.
E. Keep the rewards on our minds.
1. We reap blessings now. Rom. 5:3-4
2. There are great eternal rewards which follow. Rom. 8:25
F. Seek the pleasant ways. 1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Tim. 2:2
1. Slow down. Take time to smell the roses. Too much hurry
causes worry.
2. This was posted on the Internet: Jack was speeding at 73 in
a 55 mile an hour zone, and was pulled over by a policeman.
Who was the policeman stepping out of the car with the pad
in his hand? None other than Bob from Jack's same
congregation. "Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."
"Hello, Jack." No smile. "Guess you caught me red-handed in
a rush to see my wife and kids. I've seen some long days at
the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit. Diane
said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know
what I mean?" Bob, the policeman went back to his car, and
what seemed a very long to time to Jack, began to write on
his pad.
3. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why
hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason,
it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near
this cop again.
4. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was
Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a
mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the
slip. "Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of
his voice. Bob returned to his car without a word. Wait a
minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a
ticket. Jack began to read:
5. Dear Jack, "Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was
only 6 years old when killed by a car. You guessed it--a
speeding driver. After a fine and three months in jail, and
the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All 3 of them.
I only had one, and I will never be able to ever hug her
again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A
thousand times I thought I had, Maybe I did, but I need to
do it again. Even now. Please pray for me, Jack. And be
careful. My son is all I have left."
Concl.
A. We all have need of patience.
1. God has commanded "patience," and that should be reason
enough to cause us to diligently seek to obtain it.
B. We should never forget the reward of patience. Luke 21:19
1. God will make it all worth while in the great by and by.
C. May the Lord help us to strive to be patient.
Chart:
"Hupomone," - "That quality that does not surrender to circumstances
or succumb under trial; opposite of despondency and is associated
with hope. (1 Thess. 1:3)." (W.E. Vine)
"Makrothumia," - "That quality of self-restraint in the face of
provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish. It
is opposite of anger and is associated with mercy." (W.E. Vine)