"To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:"
-Romans 2:7
We see in our text the importance of forbearance. It is a must. We also see times in our lives when we fail to exhibit patience. Sometimes we stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to pray without ceasing. I read an article about someone who had stopped praying; if I may, I would like to share a paragraph with you about praying.
Dr. Tom Neal wrote, "It’s insidious. You don’t even know it’s happening. The initial reasons all seem worthy and innocuous, and you imagine, “There’s always tomorrow. Just this once.” So, you chip away at it, you excuse yourself, you rationalize, and then, finally, you stop. Game over." We have to keep praying.
We have to remain faithful, Hebrews 6:11, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.”
A few thoughts on patience.
PATIENCE BEGINS WITH OBEDIENCE.
We make a decision to be patient. Look at Acts 2:42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. In the harmony of the early church, the people continued like-minded, praising God and having favor with all people. This unity of purpose produced much fruit, and daily the Lord added to the church.
PATIENCE CONTINUES WITH EDIFICATION.
Paul’s example edifies us. Look at what he said in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”.
PATIENCE FINISHES WITH TRIAL
2 Timothy 3:12 informs us: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”.
Without trial, no Daniel without the lions. No apostles without persecutions. No Jesus without the cross.
We have come this far by faith, may we continue to trust in the Lord with all thine hearts and lean not unto our own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
May the God of all power, bless and keep you.
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