Today we continue our series entitled, “Grace and Truth” by continuing to look at by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Our main scriptures are John 1:14 & 17. Let’s look at them again.
(John 1:14 New International Version)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17 New International Version)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
In this series we studied Galatians 3, 4, and 5. We finally got to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Yesterday we looked at patience. Let’s go back to it again today.
(Galatians 5:22,23 The Passion Translation)
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. In 2011 I taught a series entitled, “Faith and Patience — The Power Twins.” If you want to know more about Biblical patience, please check out there series on our website. Here is the link: http://todaysword.org/teaching-series/faith/faith-and-patience/.
2. Patience is the key to consistency.
a) If there is one quality I am godly proud to possess, it is the ability to be consistent. I am not the smartest person. I am not the most eloquent preacher. I am not the most gifted writer. But one thing I am is consistent (by God’s grace). With me, what you see is what you get and you will get the same thing day-in and day-out. This level of consistency is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
b) Biblical patience is not just a quiet passive adherence to terrible conditions. It is an inner force that empowers the believer to remain constant, consistent and steadfast, on the inside; no matter what is going on outwardly. Without this type of consistency it will be hard for you to arrive at God’s overall expected end for your life. Because things are not always going to happen the way you wanted them to. Things will not always turn out the way you prayed. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and if you don’t have Biblical patience, patience empowered by the Holy Spirit, you run the risk of allowing a difficulty to derail you from your destiny.
c) Holy Spirit enabled patience empowers the believer to overcome disappointments and setbacks. This is critical for successful Christian living because setbacks will come. If you don’t develop the ability to cope with disappointing situations, you won’t have the endurance required to become the person God called you to be. The life of faith requires Holy Spirit empowered resiliency.
3. Patience produces maturity.
a) James said, “The trying of your faith develops patience.” (James 1:3). In the very next verse James said that this type of patience produces a person who is perfect (or mature) and fully developed; a person who lacks nothing!
b) James teaches us that this type of maturity is NOT GIVEN. Patience must be PRODUCED. It is produced when your faith is tested. When you are able to pass test after test, all-the-while holding on to your faith, you will possess Biblical patience, and in God’s eyes you will be considered mature.
4. Patience enables you to hold on to your faith long enough to see what God said.
a) Without Biblical patience in operation in your life, you won’t remain in faith long enough to see the manifestation of God’s promises.
b) The writer of Hebrews said, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Heb 10:36 NLT). He also said, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Heb 6:12 NIV).
c) The Lord gave you His Spirit so you could develop His qualities in your life. One of these qualities is patience. The Holy Spirit enables you to have supernatural patience. With this type of patience, you will be able to hold on, remain in faith, being completely consistent, until you see (in your hands) what God said (in your heart). This is the life of faith and this is how we are supposed to live.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, Your Word says that I have need of patience. So I want it. I know patience must be developed. It is produced in my life by the trying of my faith. So I declare, by faith, that I remain consistent. I am unmovable. I am unphased and unbothered by changing circumstances. I am not derailed by difficulties or setbacks. I overcome disappointment. I press through challenging times. I triumph over opposition. Come what may, I am a believer, I live by faith, and I refuse to allow what I SEE to change what You SAID to me. Every Word You have spoken over my life SHALL come to pass. Because I will remain in faith long enough to SEE, in my hands, what You REVEALED, in my heart! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
