‘Say it with fruit …’ (5)
Galatians 5:22-23
‘the fruit is … patience’ ‘Patience is a virtue …’ not short tempered or ill tempered or even quick tempered but long tempered cf. Psalm 40:1 – David waited ‘patiently’ …
‘the fruit is … patience’ ‘Be patient … God hasn’t finished with me yet!’ it is an attribute of God cf. 2 Peter 3:9 – Jesus has delayed his return it enables us to persevere on a bad-hair day Job personified patience why we pass through harrowing experiences
‘the fruit is … patience’ they discipline us they stretch us – ‘boys will be boys, but be patient and boys will be men’ they direct us - Joseph patience is ‘love under pressure’ need patience to handle failures that come our way patience in the little things
‘the fruit is … patience’ patience is the ability to put up with other people even when it’s not easy to do essential in all leadership Jesus is Mr Patience cf. James 5:7-8 … the farmer is an outstanding illustration of patience our God is a God of unimpeachable integrity