You Can Know You Have Eternal Life
#672
Man's Search for Inner Peace (86)
Honorable Citizenship in Jesus Kingdom (8)
by Jim Mettenbrink
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Regarding the conduct of citizens
of Jesus kingdom, the apostle Paul not only set forth 16 attitudes
and behaviors (nine of which are some aspect of division) which
prevent a Christian from going to heaven, but also challenged
them to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, traits of Christlikeness.
We have considered the magnum opus of Christian character
called love (agape), joy and peace. Pauls
next facet of this sterling gem-like character, the fruit of
the Spirit, is patience (Galatians 5:22, 23; 1 Corinthians
13:13).
The common usage of the English
word patience is how much time we allow to pass before we become
impatient and all which goes with being impatient, such as putting
ones hand on his hip and grumbling about ones dissatisfaction
and...worse. This is not the meaning of the original Greek
New Testament (NT) word often translated patience.
That it has also been translated
longsuffering and forbearance hints this patience is a different
character trait. First the impatience we all experience
is a selfish trait. In reality patience is the control
of our selfishness. When we become impatient, we unleash,
You cant do that to me, after all I am me!
Selfishness unleashed!
To a degree, the biblical word
includes this control of selfishness, but it is much more. The
word translated patience is used 14 times in the NT. Paul
wrote regarding Gods mercy toward him, considering himself
the chief of sinners Christ might show all longsuffering,
as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting
life (1 Timothy
1:15, 16). God withheld the punishment Paul deserved
because of His forbearance. Note this patience had no quality
of selfishness on Gods part, but rather withholding of
justice for Sauls killing Christians (Acts 7:54-60;
22:20; Galatians 1:13). Gods endurance of this
opposition against Him is patience.
Paul wrote Jesus patience was an
example for citizens of His kingdom. At no time during
the trials leading to His crucifixion did Jesus strike out against
His executioners. He is truly the image of longsuffering. The Old Testament prophets
are set forth as examples of longsuffering (James 5:10).
Another aspect of patience is never
quitting. Jeremiah is the supreme example of a prophet
who never quit the divinely appointed task to warn Judah of their
persistence in idolatry and the consequent destruction of their
homeland and Gods temple, and their 70 year exile into
Babylon. He endured ridicule, attempted murder, prison
and being kidnaped, but never sought revenge, nor did he quit
(e.g., Jeremiah chapters 20, 28, 38). This is the
fruit of the Spirit Jesus expects of the citizens of His kingdom.
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