Read for This Week's Study:
Gen. 6:3; Exod. 34:6; Mark 4:26-29; Rom. 15:5; Eph. 4:1, 2; James 1:2-4.
Memory Text:
"For you have need of endurance [patience], so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise " (Hebrews 10:36, NKJV).
In the Greek, two words express the meaning of "patience," another fruit of the Spirit. The first is hupomone, translated "endurance, steadfastness, and fortitude" in circumstances that cannot be changed. The second word, makrothumia, means "great" or "long tempered." It is the opposite of short tempered, impatient, and easily frustrated. In general, it means to stick with things and not to be derailed by adversity. The word is usually applied to having patience with people.A patient person is mild, gentle, and constant in all circumstances. The real test of patience is not in the waiting but in how one behaves while waiting. "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:4, NKJV).
Reaching this point in one's life takes practice, takes God's grace, and takes a willingness to put aside self and to surrender to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that if we learn patience, we are in a position to receive many other blessings from God, as well.
*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 30.
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