Patience

Patience is a virtue as they say. The definition for virtue is “behavior showing high moral standards” and some synonyms for virtue are goodness, righteousness, and uprightness. Even those non Christians recognize the goodness and importance of patience. You see, good things are attractive to those of this world even if the giver of those things (i.e., God) isn’t.

No matter how enticing and good it seems, and no matter how hard you try to obtain it, admittedly it is difficult to attain. From issues at work, with family, or even other drivers on the road, we show the level of patience we have when and how we react. This is a tough one for a lot of people including me at times. However when I read part of this next verse, it hit me like a ton of bricks.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel....” Philippians 1:27a

Living a life honoring to Jesus, isn’t an easy thing especially when the kids are yelling, problems with your employment arise, spousal disagreements are going, and friends or strangers start arguments over things that don’t matter. However, let me pose this question, what is your focus? What is your life devoted to? Is it Christ? If you’re a Christian it should be.

Living a life worthy of the Gospel involves patience with everyone and in every situation. Just stop for a moment and think about how much patience or long suffering the Lord has had with you. Think about how much sin you have been forgiven and remember that this new life that you now live is due to the mercy, grace and love that God has shown you through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s why Paul wrote what he did in Galatians 2:20.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

​Also, remember that you aren’t earning anything when you “work out your own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) but doing out of loving devotion to the Lord and showing others the same patience He has shown you because He has saved you. I have had the chance to witness out of my patience I have shown to someone that didn’t deserve it. You never know who is watching you from the side. Live that life and pray your way through it. Remember no one is perfect in this but our God.

Jonathan Eckel