God's View:
2 Tim. 4:7-8
; Gal. 6:9
; Matt. 24:3
-God has called us to run
our race with patient endurance. We are to continue to persevere
in the face of sufferings and opposition. We are to look beyond
the situation and see the prize which awaits us at the finish
line. Allow nothing to deter you from reaching the goal and reward
which lay before you.
Hope:
Lu. 21:12-19
-Afflictions and persecutions will cause some to drop
out of the race but those who have developed the fruit of longsuffering
will remain firm without yielding to adverse circumstances. God
did not promise us a trouble-free existence instead He warned
us about future affliction and persecution.
Eph. 4:11-13 ; Rom. 15:5-6 ; Col. 3:12 , 13 ; Jm. 5:7-9 -Longsuffering is an act of the will, each believer is responsible for cultivating it in their lives. Peace and harmony do not depend upon the absence of fault but on the Presence of Christ. Strife and divisions among believers are not caused by faults, but are the result of a lack of patience or long-suffering among fellow servants.
Jere. 12:5 ; Rom. 5:2-5 -God is raising up people who will be spiritually equipped to 'run with the footmen', 'contend with horses', and stand through the 'swelling of the Jordan', to keep strife out of churches, out of relationships, resolving disputes by God's grace, and to allow His Grace to be acted upon.
Change:
Heb. 6:12-15
; 10:36
; 1 Cor. 13:3
; Eph. 6:10-14
-Cultivasting fruit
of longsuffering will enable the believer to obtain the promises
in the word of God. Failure to receive promises may be due to
failing to exercise patience and endurance. It is only when we
believe and stand will we see the manifestation of the answer
to prayer. Standing brings forth fruit.
Mrk. 11:24; Heb. 6:12 ; Lu. 8:4-5 -God requires us to stand to see if we are just talking or expressing faith. Abraham stood 25 years, Caleb, 45, Noah , 100. Ability of these men to hold fast to God's promises was in direct proportion to the degree of development of the fruit of longsuffering. Keeping the word of God regardless until maturity is brought forth by patience.
Rom. 6:16-18 ; Eph. 4:22-32 -The key to keeping the word is to obey it from the heart. When believers obey the word from their hearts , they become servants of righteousness.
Rom. 5:3-5 ; Jm. 1:2-4 ; Isa. 40:29-31 ; 1 Pet. 1:13 ; Rom. 8:24-25 -We cultivate the fruit of longsuffering by experiencing tribulations which produces patience. Experiences produce hope and the knowledge thereof can induce love in the midst of trials.
Rom. 8:25
-During difficult times our top priority should be to
find out what the word of God declares to be true about our situation.
Hoping for what we don't see, with patience, we will wait for
it. Hope, patience and receiving the promises all blend together.