THE PATIENCE TEST, NO. 12

"The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:3, 4).

We can see from this Scripture that patience is a principle virtue from which many other virtues are formed and developed in our lives. Without strong patience as a foundation in our lives we cannot be mature and perfected in Christ. This is the reason why Christians have to suffer trials, tribulations, and persecutions so that patience can be developed in us in order for us to be truly Christlike. Jesus Christ suffered many trials, tribulations, and testings throughout His earthly life, even before He went to the cross. He reveals His trial of endurance with the unbelief of that generation in Matthew 17:17: "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?"

Jesus' prayers and supplications, coupled with strong crying and tears, enabled Him to be the patient Savior He was. Hebrews 5:8-8 says: "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

Men, we cannot have perfection if we are weak in patience. Many may ask, "Is it possible to be perfect and entire, wanting nothing? The answer is a resounding yes. Through the exercise of patience.

Like the generation that tested Jesus Christ's patience, we likewise test His patience with our unbelief in the truths of God's Word. We can also be so impatient with one another and are far too quick to write people off.

Men, although it is important to discipline our children when it is appropriate, we also need to temper our discipline knowing that they are still children and prone to make mistakes. We should deal with our children as God deals with us and He is called the God of Patience.

Romans 15:5 says: "Now the GOD OF PATIENCE and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell