Patience is a required trait and behavior for one to be a faithful Christian. We are struggling with this requirement today. We are accustomed to having our wants and needs immediately and are stressed and frustrated when we are required to wait. Many things in everyday life are instant and immediate that once were not that way. Communications, news, business services, fast food, travel, career change, etc. are quick and easy today. We seldom are required to be patient. This may not be a good thing, considering the teaching of the Bible concerning patience.
Jesus stated in Luke 21:19, “By your patience possess your souls.” Patience is an essential element required for one to behave acceptably as a Christian. Consider Romans 5:3-4, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [patience]; and perseverance, character; and character hope.” James 1:2-4 states, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Patience is required for one to possess all the traits to make one’s call and election sure (2 Peter 1:4-6). First century Christians were commended for their patience (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Colossians 1:11; 2 Timothy 3:10). Leaders are commanded to be patient (Titus 2:2) in order to be sound and acceptable. Through patience we can inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12) of God for a better life.
Paul’s plea to the Ephesians to “be worthy of their calling as followers of Christ” (Ephesians 4:1-2) receiving all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) includes the teaching that one must be patient, along with humility, gentleness, love, kindness, tenderheartedness and honesty.
In summary, we must develop patience if we hope to sustain effective saving faith to please God and to project the image of Christ as we live in a troubled and difficult world. Behaving appropriately as Christians will result in increased influence on others for good and improved quality of our personal lives. The teaching of Scripture about patience is not a suggestion but rather a requirement to be faithful.
