Patience: An indispensable Virtue – Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY HELD ON SUNDAY, 25TH JUNE, 2017
LED BY THE RT. REVD. DR. A.O. AKINLALU

General Theme: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Topic: “Patience: An indispensable Virtue”

Bible Passages: (1) Isaiah 1:11-22 – Judah and Israel were called to repentance.

AIM: To teach every true child of God that Patience is an indispensable virtue which everyone must take on board in our relationship with God and our neighbors as we continue on our earthly journey to heaven.

INTRODUCTION
Things that are happening in some of the 21st century Churches are those things that were happening in Judah and Israel. The true worship which God had commanded and demanded from His people was debased by Judah and Israel. The Lord requires more than coming and dancing in the Church. He needs more of hearts that are filled with gratitude not hearts that are obviously far from Him (cf. Mark 7:6 & Amp; 7). The religious activities which were really genuine and actually God given were empty of their realities, hence they became loathsome and abomination to God.

This passage illustrates to us the eternal truth that irrespective of the evil, wickedness, deception and weight of sin, the Lord stands ready to forgive his people upon their proper confession and genuine repentance (cf. Proverbs 28:13; Ephesians 2:13-18).

In Mathew 5:1-22; verses 1-12 (The Beatitudes); verses 13-16 (Christians are likened to salt and light); verses 17-20 (Christ and law) and verses 21-22 (Jesus and Anger). Jesus and Anger: In verse 21, Jesus refers to the Law of Moses, “thou shall not kill”, this can be translated, “you shall not murder” (cf. Ex. 20: 13; Lev. 24: 21; Deut. 5:17). In verse 22, we see Christ as the true interpreter of His word. He says, whosoever is angry with his brother or sister without a cause, placing unjust anger on his fellow human beings, such act is treated in this category as murder. The action to kill or murder springs from an evil heart. The words “Raca” and “thou fool” are Hebrew expressions of murderous anger. It is pretty certain that men and women may beat justice in a human court of law, but will never do such in God’s court of law.

In Romans 12: 9-21, Paul’s exhortation to Christians in verses 9-16 is that Christians should shun anything evil. We should see one another as brothers or sisters. We should be industrious, fervent in spirit, and in whatever we do, we should exhibit Christ in our lives. In verses 17-21, Paul prescribes the ideal Christian behaviour. We are not to retaliate evil for evil, and our manner of life should conform with our outward behaviour. We should not allow evil to overcome us, rather we should overcome evil with our good works.

Note: The supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit {(i) Isaiah 11:1-2, (ii) I Cor. 12: 1-11} can be compared with the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Romans 12: 9-21; Psalm 89:9-29; Matt. 5:9-23. There is no contradiction between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Like a farmer sows the seed and the seed comes up with the fruit. When we live to please God, we harvest a life and character produced in us by the Holy Spirit. We are the reflection of God’s light to lighten the dark places and the salt to sweeten the bitter meals of the world. For example: the super natural gifts in I Cor. 12: 1-11 includes wisdom, knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, discernment; Speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. Christians having one or more of these gifts should exhibit or show them in their lives, love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Greek word for Patience “Markrothumia”, is translated differently in the versions of the Bible we are holding.

Questions for discussion:
i. Why is patience an indispensable virtue in the life of a true Christian?
ii. What advice will you give to someone who gets annoyed or angry easily?
iii. As a Christian, how can you explain “endurance” to a group of young people in the church?
iv. How many hours will a house-wife use to prepare fried rice, vegetable soup and stew? And how many minutes will the members of the family eat what have been prepared?

Before it becomes fresh corn on our tables for refreshment, how long will it take the farmer to plant and harvest?

CONCLUSION
Patience is the central figure which holds together the other virtues like the knob in a bicycle that holds the spoke shave. The virtues mentioned in Galatians 5 : 22 ff are interwoven, held firmly together by patience. They are compulsory for us to take onboard as we journey daily to perfection. We do well when we lead from our gifts (cf. I Peter 4:10 -11). What are your gifts? (cf. Col. 3:23).