We often live without care for His feelings about us and His creation, behaving as much of this world does, as though neither He nor His law exists. Although one could not say we persecute Him as men persecute each other, yet in our own way we do bring a form of persecution on Him by our attitudes and way of life. None of us has ever come close to exhibiting patience like God. It "goes with the territory." We are not to shrink to avoid it, but bear it patiently as Christ did. It follows, then, that both Peter and Paul warn us that we who make a profession of Christianity must be prepared for persecution. He could be subjected to a fine, imprisonment, banishment, torture or death. It may deprive him of an office or position he held or prevent him from obtaining one for which he is qualified. The injury can be to the Christian's feelings or to his family, reputation, property, liberty or influence. Persecution can take on many forms within these broad areas. It is inflicting some injury on him, putting him to some disadvantage or placing him in unfavorable circumstances. Persecution may take many forms, but it is more than someone merely presenting counter-arguments to the Christian's convictions. The essence of persecution lies in subjecting the Christian to injury or disadvantage because of his beliefs. Peter supplies a partial answer to this, as does Paul's statement in II Timothy 3:12: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." The psalmist, Peter and Paul are all saying that persecution is a common lot-a calling-of all who strive to serve Christ faithfully. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous," the psalmist writes ( Psalm 34:19). The issue revolves around the answer to the question, "What did Christ's patient suffering produce?" Does it not follow that if Christ's life produced good things because He lived this way, our lives will too? Did not Christ finish what God gave Him to do and glorify God in the way He did it? Does God ever counsel or command anything that does not show love and produce good? We, too, are called to suffer for righteousness' sake, though Peter does not limit our calling to suffering patiently. Here we see patience in direct connection to our calling! Can patience possibly be that important? It is when we understand it in light of Christ's suffering for us, leaving us an example of how we are to live. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth" who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. God clearly holds Jesus up to us as the example we must strive to follow.įor what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. Nor does the Bible ever indicate He fell into a self-pitying pout to draw attention to His irritation. Undoubtedly, other qualities-or their lack-play into these situations, but would Jesus ever act or react like this? He certainly became justifiably angry on occasion, but the Bible never illustrates Him even remotely losing control-even while under intense pressure from blinded and stubborn fools, some of whom were intentionally baiting Him. We may not show much agitation on the outside, but inwardly we are churning with varying degrees of stress, wishing that people would "just get on with it" so we can do our thing. They invariably let others know it, either by a steady stream of grumbling, carping and griping accompanied by a face painted with the pain of having to suffer the fools surrounding them, or they "blow up" in red-faced fury, shouting a torrent of invective intended to let everyone within hearing distance know they have been put upon and have "had it." The great bulk of us are in between. We all know people who are easily irritated. Though some of these elements are contained within the scope of what the Bible reveals of this very important character trait, it is far too rich in meaning to be limited to them. The quality of patience evokes images of stoicism, tolerance and passivity in most people's mind. ![]() The second group, beginning with patience ("longsuffering" in the KJV and NKJV), contains social virtues relating to our thoughts and actions toward fellow man and our attitude during trials. The first group-love, joy and peace-portrays a Christian's mind in its most general form, with special emphasis on his relationship with God. ![]() When the apostle Paul penned the nine qualities we call "the fruit of the Spirit," he neatly divided them into three general groups, though some overlapping of application occurs between them.
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