Could It Be This Simple? Part 2

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV

Again, I ask you brothers, can it really be this simple?

We discussed in my prior writing the importance of being joyful in hope and it’s simplicity.  Joy being one of the fruits of the spirit, we move on to yet another.

To be patient in affliction, what is it?

Patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset”.  This says a mouthful, when it comes to our daily walk with Christ Jesus.

Now affliction is”something that causes pain or suffering”.

What is Paul saying? Could he really mean we, as Christians (partisans of Christ,) should have the capacity to tolerate delay in that which causes pain or suffering?   The answer is YES.

Paul writes:

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 NIV

David writes:

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 NIV

These are just a couple of examples, but who set the greatest example?  The one who always does – Jesus.

He patiently waited 33-1/2 years to fulfill the purpose and plan the Father had for him. He endured greater affliction and suffering then anyone. He suffered unmercifully, out of love for you and I, while he was beaten, scourged, spit upon, mocked, and nailed to a tree with a crown of thorns embedded into his head. This, over several hours, was a slow and painful process by all standards.

Is Paul asking too much? I think not.  How can we, knowing the love Christ showed us at the cross, not recognize that this is key to us spending eternity with our Lord and God.

Jeremiah writes:

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV

Paul writes:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:1-4 NIV

So may we all be joyful in hope, and patient in affliction. This does not say go it alone, the Lord provides us with one another, as encouragement that He is with us always.

And I again remind us all that Hope has a name – Jesus!

May he always be our example!

 

Barnabas

 

Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas