Have Patience 2

Hello Everyone,

The Greek word is makrothumia. Translated as patience, long-suffering, or forbearance, it is a compound word consisting of makros (long or big) and thumia (temper).

It literally means having a "long fuse" as opposed instead of being short/quick tempered.

In non-biblical Greek, the word expresses the idea of passivity or resignation in the face of overwhelming difficulties or problems that cannot be changed.

It also brings with it the idea of being stubbornly persistent even though the going gets tougher and tougher.

Biblical use of the word makrothumia does not include the idea of passivity or resignation.

For the child of God, it is not just a matter of gritting your teeth and enduring some pain or suffering.

In the Scriptures, makrothumia is used for people who are being patient with people rather than with things or events.

A commentary writer (Barclay) says:

‘It’s the grace of the person who could revenge a wrong but does not”.

             

It’s the long-suffering that endures injuries and evil deeds without being provoked to anger or revenge.

It’s a steadfastness of soul that is tempted to "right a wrong" or "even the score" with someone, but choosing not to do so.

·        It seems patience is needed most when we feel least likely to want to exercise it.

·        Our greatest need for patience is at the low point of our spiritual life when we "cling to God, even when we do not feel that God is near."

·        Patience is the tenacity that the Christian’s faith holds to the promises of God even though he may feel more like the conquered, instead of the conqueror.

Greater Things Are Still To Come! 

Have Patience. 1

Hello Everyone,

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. KJV

The Jews have a saying,

"whoever rejoices in afflictions that come upon him, brings salvation to the world.''

What is patience for a child waiting for his birthday or Christmas?

Watching children wait until Christmas is a lesson in patience!

Long before the day arrives, they know who is receiving every present under the tree.

In a time of war, what is patience for a family waiting for the return of a loved one from battle?

What is patience for a missionary who must witness, pray, preach, and teach for years and yet see little in the way of a positive response?

On a personal note: What is patience for a pastor who has a vision for what the church can be and do in the community? Yet he must wait patiently praying, explaining, encouraging, challenging, and building a consensus until others commit to that vision and help realize it.

What is patience in the mind of the apostle Paul as he tells the Galatians and us: "The fruit of the Spirit is ... patience"?

Greater Things Are Still To Come!                                                  1

Kindness in Action 5

Hello Everyone,

We also see through the Samaritan that:

Kindness will pay the PRICE.

The Good Samaritan didn’t examine the man’s wounds and then calculate the cost.

He was willing to pay the price and do whatever it took to help the man in need.

Wine was poured on the wounds to purify and prevent infection; oil was added to comfort and soothe.

The Samaritan paid for the man’s care at the inn; he paid the price!

Jews hated Samaritans, but the Samaritan didn’t let this prejudice keep him from giving to meet a need.

Kindness pays the price regardless of the outcome.

• Paying the price means you assume the risk.
• Paying the price of kindness also has its rewards!

Luke 12:33 (Msg.)
Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bank robbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on.

• Luke 6:38 (Msg.)
Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

Kindness will take action; it takes risk it will pay the price.

Kindness will put others FIRST.

The Samaritan didn’t worry about his schedule for the day.

He didn’t think about himself but put the needs of the wounded man ahead of himself.

• Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

• Ephesians 4:28 (NLT)
If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need.

 Kindness will put others first.

Kindness will FINISH what it STARTS.

The Samaritan didn’t just bandage the man’s wounds.

He didn’t just take the man to a safe place where he could get more help.

He even did more than pay for room and board.

He also promised to pay whatever else was needed to nurse the man back to health.

THE SAMARITAN FINISTHED WHAT HE STARTED!

• Philippians 1:6 (GW)
I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.

Quaker, Stephen Grellet wrote: “I expect to pass through this world but once, any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now, let me not defer to neglect it, FOR I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN.”

[quoted in Winward, The Fruit of the Spirit page 136]

Kindness will take ACTION. Kindness takes a RISK and is willing to PAY the PRICE. Kindness puts others FIRST, it FINSHES what it STARTS. And finally:

Kindness does not SEEK RECONIGTION.

What was the Good Samaritan’s name? Jesus doesn’t tell us.

The Good Samaritan does not seek out the priest and the Levite to promote himself over them.

The Samaritan is content to remain unknown.

Our kindness is not to elevate our reputation, or make us look good in the eyes of other people.

Real kindness does not seek to find glory for oneself; instead, kindness gives glory to God.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Msg.)
As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory.

KINDNESS DOES NOT SEEK RECOGNITION, INSTEAD THE RECOGNITION AND GLORY GOES TO GOD.

Greater things are still to come!                                           

Kindness in Action 4

Hello everyone,

Jesus shows us what Godly kindness is like through the Samaritan.

Kindness will take ACTION.

The Samaritan did not pass by or ignore the one in need.

The Samaritan took action to do what he could to help meet the need.

• Kindness is love in action.
• Kindness is not an attitude we develop in our heart;
• Kindness has to get out;
• Kindness held in is not kindness at all.

1 Corinthians 13 tells us, “Love is kind;” in other words, love takes action and finds expression through kindness.

Kindness is love serving. To serve others requires action!
Kindness will give; it will share.
Kindness will provide for others; it supplies what is lacking.

Sometimes all that is needed is a kind word.

An elderly lady always went to the local post office because the employees were so friendly. Once she was waiting in a long line to buy stamps just before Christmas. The man in line behind her said, “Maim there’s no need for you to wait in line; you can buy your stamps at the machine in the lobby.” The old woman said, “I know, but the machine won’t smile or ask about my arthritis.”

The only action the machine could provide was to dispense stamps, but the action of the employees dispensed stamps and kindness!

• Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people . . . clothe yourselves with . . . kindness.

Kindness will take a RISK.

The Samaritan did not stop to consider if the robbers were still lurking behind the rocks. The Samaritan was willing to put his possessions and even his life in jeopardy to offer kindness to the one who was in need.

What if Jesus had wanted to play it safe? What if He didn’t want to take any chances? We would still be lost in our sin without any hope for salvation.

• Philippians 2:6-8 (Msg.)
[6] He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. [7] Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! [8] . . . He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.

Jesus was willing to take a chance and risk everything so He could meet our need.

He was not worried about the price.

He determined to give what we needed no matter what.

That’s what kindness does; it will take a risk.

Greater things are still to come!

Kindness in Action 3

Hello Everyone,

The story of the Good Samaritan shows us four different types of people.

We encounter people like this every day.

The Selfish and Hostile

This is the robbers.

These people are only interested in what THEY want.

They will climb the latter of success regardless of whom they have to step on doing whatever it takes to get what they want.

• James 4:1 (Msg.)
Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.

The Indifferent
The priest and Levite may have just been indifferent. Maybe they are just overwhelmed by the need and feel that they have nothing to offer those in need the indifferent lack a heart of compassion.

The indifferent won’t kick you when your down, but they won’t offer you a hand to get up either.

They ignore you and just pass by minding their own business.

The Legalistic

The priest and Levite may also be legalistic. They justify their lack of compassion in order to remain holy in the eyes of their peers.

The legalistic follow their man made rules and ignore God’s higher law to love your neighbor as yourself.

 If I stop to get involved, I’ll be late for work.
 I can’t give because we have made a commitment to get out of debt.
 If I say something nice, then my friends will make fun of me.

The Kind and Compassionate

The Samaritan is kind and compassionate.

Greater things are still to come!