“So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love.”
Ephesians 4:1-2 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Patience is vital for our walk with Christ. Patience means “endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs” [i]. It doesn’t come naturally (how many patient infants have you met)? Instead, it develops over time as the Lord gives us numerous opportunities to trust, obey, surrender, and submit to Him.
Developing patience is a challenging journey. But when we pause to reflect on how patient the Lord is with us, the value of this gracious gift of longsuffering becomes clear. As we recall God’s patience, we understand why Paul urges us, “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)
A Touch of Grace:
How have you seen God’s patience toward you?
How can you grow in patience?
Grace Application:
Longsuffering may seem daunting, but with the Holy Spirit’s strength, we can endure long periods when circumstances and people are challenging. When we consider God’s steadfast and forbearing nature, we are humbled and sometimes overwhelmed by His abundance of patience. The Holy Spirit empowers us to follow His example.
Impatience often stems from our desire for comfort or our perception of obstacles. We may become touchy when we feel hurt, neglected, or rejected. The question of how long we hold onto pain before choosing to forgive is crucial. Our response to life’s challenges reveals whether we walk in the Spirit or give in to our fleshly desires.
But God…His gracious patience stuns me. The Holy Spirit sometimes has to jerk a proverbial knot in me to get my attention (anyone else?) and remind me how patient He is with me. I am undone when I stop to consider how patiently He pursued me so I could receive the gift of salvation. As I struggle with the sins of selfishness, fear, and unrighteous anger, I know He is patiently pruning me so that sin will not rule my heart. Yet, Jesus’ love remains steadfast in helping me become more patient.
Today I “pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Colossians 1:9-12 NASB)
Gracious Prayer
Gracious Father, I come to You In the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, thankful for Your patience towards me. Holy Spirit, fill me with the knowledge of Your will and give me an understanding of who You are so that I will walk in a manner worthy of You. Help me to become more patient for Your kingdom. Amen
[i] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3115/esv/mgnt/0-1/