PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS

In Revelation 14:12, the Bible talks about a specific kind of patience – particularly, the “patience of the saints.”

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

This tells us that there is a kind of patience that is not of this world. There is a patience that is found in mature, real Christians that could only have been imparted from the very nature of God. So what is this true patience? And how can it be developed in us?

TRUE PATIENCE IN TRIALS AND DELAYS

All of us must be pretty familiar with the word “patience.” As children, we’ve probably heard from our parents and teachers that we need to be patient when waiting for our food or when waiting in line. We’ve basically been trained to define the word “patience” as simply, the ability to wait. But true patience is much more than that.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3)

True patience is to be truly joyful even when we face delays and go through difficult circumstances. We can be joyful knowing that the trials are meant by God to produce something good in our lives.

One of the good things of having true patience is that it will enable us to persevere until the end. Our journey on earth may feel long so we will need the strength to endure until the day comes when we finally meet with our Lord.

“When the work of patience is complete, then the Christian is entire, and nothing will be wanting; it will furnish us with all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare, and it enable us to persevere until the end, and we will be crowned with the glory of God.” -Matthew Henry

True patience will also allow us to inherit the promises of God. 

If God has promised us something, we will only be able to fully receive that promise if we have the faith to believe and the patience to wait on God’s perfect timing, though it may take months, years, or even decades.

That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36)

True patience will allow us to bear fruit. If we are patient in sowing seeds of prayers for people we know, not giving up despite the long delays, the time will come when those prayers will be answered and we will see God move.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)

While true patience is able to bear all these good things in us, we must admit that it is not so easy to develop this kind of patience. Our human tendency is to run ahead of God to end the delays and to quickly escape from the trials. However, patience can only be developed in us if we do not resist God and allow Him to work in our hearts.

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4

To allow patience to have its perfect work means to humbly accept the God-ordained trials. Matthew Henry said it well when he said of patience:

“Allow its perfect work. Do nothing to limit it. Do nothing to weaken it but let it have its full scope. If one affliction comes upon the heels of another, and a train of them are drawn upon us, yet let patience go on until its work is perfected. When we bear all that God appoints and as long as He appoints and with a humble obedient eye to Him. When we not only bear troubles but rejoice in them, then patience will have its perfect work.”

TRUE PATIENCE WITH PEOPLE: “LONGSUFFERING”

And then there is another kind of patience. In some Bible versions, patience is translated as “longsuffering.” While patience is endurance in trials and circumstances, longsuffering is to suffer with people for a very, very long time.

Longsuffering is to have the forbearance to tolerate the weaknesses and annoying flaws of others. This is why longsuffering is so important in all our relationships – whether it be in our families, workplaces, and ministries.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient...
(2 Timothy 2:24)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
(1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Both these Bible verses talk about being gentle and patient to “all men.” We are called to be longsuffering with both the weak and the strong, with both our leaders and those who are under us, and with both our friends and our enemies.

And if we truly become longsuffering towards others, it is then that we can win those very people to God. Proverbs 25:15 says that if we show forbearance towards others, it will conquer a person’s spirit.

By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
(Proverbs 25:15)

While being patient with difficult people may feel very challenging and almost impossible for us, the good news is that God is able to develop this longsuffering in us because He is a longsuffering God.

And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 34:6)

So let us allow God to transform our hearts towards those people that we need to be patient with, remembering that we are only standing today because God has been so longsuffering with us.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9)


Reference:
Henry, Matthew. “Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.” Olivetree 6+ Mobile Application. Accessed October 2017.