Ephesians 4.1-3
“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, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A worthy life—an axios life—is characterized by Spirit-empowered virtues. Today we look at the virtue of patience.
In this passage, the Greek word for patience is makrothumia. It is often translated “long-suffering.” Keep in mind that the kind of patience described here is not standard patience; it is axios patience. It is patience that is worthy of the call of Jesus.
Patience is commonly defined as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” However, the biblical portrait of patience is not that of mere acquiescence or tolerance while we bide the time; rather, axios patience is a dynamic and powerful spiritual discipline that flows from love and is deeply rooted in our trust in God.
1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is patient and kind. Galatians 5 tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Thus we can see that biblical patience is a by-product of the presence of God’s love and the Spirit’s power in our life. Love produces patience, and patience produces perseverance.
- Every parent who has raised children knows the necessity of patience and perseverance.
- Every coach who has led a team knows the necessity of patience and perseverance.
- Every manager or executive who has led a business knows the necessity of patience and perseverance.
- Every farmer who has planted a field knows the necessity of patience and perseverance.
- Every student who has learned a subject or a skill knows the necessity of patience and perseverance.
- Every athlete/artist who has pursued mastery of a sport/craft knows the necessity of patience and perseverance.
Trust God and do the work with patience and perseverance.
