Always Learning

Ok, so we're down to L O N G S U F F E R I N G -- i.e. PATIENCE.

I have been amazed how much I have learned about love, joy and peace, things I thought I knew about. And now patience (which I obviously need to keep learning about, as anyone who knows me can tell! :) is opening up things I never thought about before.

Wow, imagine, refusing to allow circumstances or the behavior of others spoil my day.

The Greek word "hupomone" means patience, "to persevere, remain under...bearing up under...refers to the quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succub under trial." It is "endurance-patience" in relation to things or circumstances.

It is associated with hope, "the desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it", or biblically, "a positive outlook toward an expected end." Hope inspires this kind of patiene.

Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

FURTHERMORE! Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn of many brethren."

Hope in our lives that God is at work and is transforming us to be conformed to the image of Christ!

Then there's the Greek word "makrothumia", also patience, "to be long-suffering", "forebearance...self-restraint before proceeding to action", "the quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so." This is patience in respect to people rather than circumstances.

Hmmm...This "patience" is the fruit of the Spirit inspired by mercy. God's mercy! "Mercy-patience!"

We need "hupomone" in responding to circumstances, and "makrothumia" in responding to people!

We can pray for "endurance-patience" in circumstances, but we need "mercy-patience" for people, and that can only come from being filled with the Holy Spirit! Allowing the Holy Spirit to express His patience through us!

God's Word is so amazing! One can be a Christian for (35) years and still be learning! It just never gets old!