Patience

Galatians 5:16-20 (TNIV)

 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever  you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  

Take a few moments (be patient with this) and look at the following passage through the eyeglasses of patience.  How do you see this being lived out, challenged, reflected in this passage.  Take your time.  See what surfaces.

Matthew 14 (TNIV) 

   22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

    25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

The disciples were waiting . . .

How do you deal with waiting?

Where are the places where you are waiting right now?

How does the ability to wait, to be patient, figure into a life that flows from the Spirit?  Where can you intentionally provide the time and space to allow it to take root and grow? 

So, how long did it take for this page to load in your browser?  If it was not this page, chances are good that before you are through with whatever you are doing on the web today, that you will find yourself thinking about how long something is taking.  Interesting, isn't it?

In our instant "hurry up and wait" culture, one of the qualities of the Spirit led life that is constantly at risk is that of patience.   Though we would rarely be crass enough to say it quite like this, we often want what we want, and want it now.  We have come to expect it.  As a result, not only do we tend to rush through things that might better be enjoyed slowly and leisurely, we struggle with those areas where patience is required.

So what is it about the Spirit cultivated life that makes patience not only possible, but a natural outflowing of our lives?  That's a bit of what Pastor Saul explores with us in this sermon.  If you have not had the opportunity to hear his comments yet, (or would like to listen once again), you can click here to access our sermon library.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 2021 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factionskingdom of God.

    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.