Of course, we don't want to go around like a clanging cymbal trying to draw attention to ourselves and showing how good we are, so there are true results of God's love in our hearts. 1 Corinthians 13 speaks to this result in the following scripture. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. It is like we are living in "opposite land" when we look at this list. Impatience is just a part of my "jam," and I can justify it by saying, "I'm not going to let any moss grow under my feet!" That is so wrong, and the point is missing, though. Being impatient carries the characteristic of unkindness, so it is easy to see how kindness can be attached to patience in this list.
A.B. Simpson a 19th century preacher spoke the following: "Beloved, have you ever thought that someday you will not have anything to try you, or anyone to vex you again? There will be no opportunity in heaven to learn or to show the spirit of patience, forbearance, and longsuffering. If you are to practice these things, it must be now." Yes, each day affords countless opportunities to learn patience. Let's not waste them. Commenting on our need for this virtue, M.H. Lount has said, "God's best gifts come slowly. We could not use them if they did not. Many a man, called of God to...a work in which he is pouring out his life, is convinced that the Lord means to bring his efforts to a successful conclusion. Nevertheless, even such a confident worker grows discouraged at times and worries because results do not come as rapidly as he would desire. But growth and strength in waiting are results often greater than the end so impatiently longed for. Paul had time to realize this as he lay in prison. Moses must have asked, 'Why?' many times during the delays in Midian and in the wilderness. Jesus Himself experienced the discipline of delay in His silent years before His great public ministry began." God wants us to see results as we work for Him, but His first concern is our growth. That's why He often withholds success until we have learned patience. The Lord teaches us this needed lesson through the blessed discipline of delay.
Part of our "patience training" is learning to wait and trust in the Lord, so this attribute of love has an element of faith in it. When we trust God, we find us putting ourselves in His hands, which is where we should be anyway. The prophet Isaiah wrote this in Isaiah 40:31, But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. I don't know how to fly, so when I am soaring, I must soar with God's help and in His power. When I put myself in charge of my flight I will run out of energy and strength, and I will not be able to keep going when gravity hits hard. But with God's help and me patiently trusting Him, I will not only fly, but fly higher and higher on the winds of His Holy Spirit!!
When God is in control and leading me He is also empowering me in my faith and the result is patience coupled with kindness. This is all part of the outflow of God's love, which we need so desperately. So in desperation I cry out "God fill me with your love!!" God is faithful EVERY time, so don't doubt, just believe
Vesselogical Out,
David Warren
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