Most of us recognize that patience is one of the cardinal Christian virtues—and yet we are in no hurry to obtain it. For others the definition of patience is a delay in getting what we want. As Margaret Thatcher once remarked: “I am remarkably patient, as long as I get my way in the end.” In today’s fast-paced society and today’s self-centered culture, patience is fading fast, even among Christians.
Patience is not optional for the Christian. The apostle Paul repeatedly exhorted Christians to show patience with one another. In fact, this is a critical test of Christian authenticity. True Christian character, which is the very evidence of regeneration, is seen in genuine patience.
in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Ephesus to “live in a manner worthy of the vocation with which you have been called. Live in all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).
In a similar context, the apostle calls the Christians of Colossus to “put on” the virtues of “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Co. 3:12). Once again, Paul illustrates the need for patience by pointing out the conflicts in the Christian community. According to Paul, if a Christian has a complaint against another, he should respond patiently, willing to suffer loss rather than damage the church’s reputation.
To the Thessalonian Christians, Paul’s instruction was absolutely clear: “Be at peace with one another” (1 Thess. 5:13). To achieve this peace, Paul instructed the Thessalonians to “be patient with everyone” (1 Thess. 5:14). That is a great challenge.
And most importantly: patience must mark the Christian leader. Writing to Timothy, his young pupil in the ministry, Paul set an example: “The Lord’s servant should not be contentious, but kind to everyone, apt to teach, long-suffering. He must tenderly rebuke those who oppose, just in case God gives them the repentance that leads to the full knowledge of the truth ”(2 Tim. 2: 24-25).
A mandate and a gift
The biblical understanding of patience as a Christian virtue is rooted in the totality of Christian truth. Patience begins with the affirmation that God is sovereign and that he is in control of human history, working in human lives. With eternity on the horizon, time takes on new meaning. The Christian understands that full satisfaction will not be achieved in this life, but he looks for the consummation of all things in the future. On the other hand, we know that our sanctification will be incomplete in this life, and therefore Christians must look to one another as fellow sinners saved by grace, in whom the Holy Spirit is working in calling us to Christlikeness.
When we consider the scriptural command to be patient with others, we must remember several aspects of patience that are vital to understanding the Christian life and that have been revealed in God’s Word. First, we must understand that patience is both a command and a gift from God. As with all Christian virtues, we are obligated under God’s command to display the fruits of the Spirit, of which patience is a vital part. The biblical portrait of patience is not that of mere conformity or of easily coping with time, much less is patience seen as an inexcusable action. On the contrary, patience is a strong and brilliant Christian virtue, one that is deeply rooted in the Christian’s absolute confidence in God’s sovereignty and in God’s promise to consummate all things in a way that most fully displays his glory.
As a mandate, patience comes to the Christian conscience as a matter of responsibility. At the same time, patience is a divine gift. Christians are not capable, by themselves, of demonstrating true patience as a fruit of the Spirit. Augustine, the great bishop of the fourth century, warned that Christians should avoid the “false patience of the proud.” Augustine punished those who attribute patience simply “to the force of the human will.” Of course we should want to be patient, but patience as a genuine virtue comes only to those who have been redeemed by Christ and in whom the Holy Spirit is calling to display the fruit of the Spirit.
Instructed by His example
Second, the Christian virtue of patience is rooted in our knowledge that we are redeemed sinners. Knowing our own frailty, and being acutely aware of our own faults, we should deal with other Christians humbly rather than show pride. The Christian has no excuse for responding to fellow believers in a spirit of arrogance, haughtiness, or superiority. Instead, we are to be instructed by the example of Christ, and respond in true humility, both to God and to our brothers in Christ.
Patience presents the Christian with a critical test of character, rooted in the simple recognition that we could be wrong. Our error may lie in our character rather than in our conviction. When Christians get into disputes, it is possible to be wrong at the same time that you are right. That is a good reminder, even as we must contend for the faith that was delivered once for all to the saints.
Maintaining patience while God is working in others
Third, the Christian understanding of patience is based on our understanding of others as those in whom God is potentially working. As Paul instructed Timothy, “The servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but kind to all, apt to teach, long-suffering. He must tenderly rebuke those who oppose him, lest God give them the repentance that leads to the full knowledge of the truth, and coming to their senses, they escape the devil’s snare, having been captive to him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
This extraordinarily strong language indicates that Paul is talking about serious things where there is disagreement between Christians. When he talks about correcting those who have been captured by the devil to do his will, we can be sure that Paul is indeed talking about very serious matters.
Paul bases the virtue of patience on the claim that God may be at work in those with whom we are experiencing disagreement and conflict. Once again, the biblical doctrine of sanctification helps us understand growth toward Christian maturity. This is a process through which God transforms a sinner and redeems him in the image of Christ.
With this in mind, we must respond in such a way to believers who, like us, are sinners saved by grace. Therefore, we must show grace to others, and the integrity of our Christian profession must be demonstrated with genuine patience. Even as we try to convince, instruct, and even correct, we must remember that only God can reach the heart of man, and we must maintain the confidence that God is working in those who share his grace.
an eternal patience
Fourth, the Christian virtue of patience is rooted in our understanding of time and eternity. We do not expect to achieve our greatest satisfactions in this life. In relation to our fellow believers, we know that they, like us, will experience complete sanctification and glorification only in the age to come. As John Calvin said, immortality is “the mother of patience.” This is a good and healthy reminder—since we Christians have been called to seek all truth—we understand that we will achieve full unity only when Christ claims the Church from him and we are gathered before the throne of God for all eternity.
Patience should be one of the hallmarks of the Christian home, since each member of the family shows patience in dealing with others. Husbands and wives must be patient with each other, just as parents must be patient with their children. In the family of faith, patience, often the rarest of virtues, becomes a test of authenticity and a necessity for the proper functioning of the home, church, and Christian fellowship.
That said, the Church must obey God’s command and try to demonstrate genuine Christian patience—and quickly.
Originally posted on . Translated by Gabriela Fischer.