The New Testament translation of the word “patience” is taken from the Greek word “hypomone’ ” meaning, cheerful or hopeful endurance and constancy. So the Christian patience or endurance is a cheerful and hopeful endurance in the faith.
It is not a saddened, pathetic and wishful endurance. Wishful patience that goes along with depression is of the world and not for the true believers in Christ Jesus. And the scriptures instruct every Christian to be patient.
Because every believer in Christ Jesus, goes through tribulations at one time or the other. Any Christian that claims not to go through any tribulation in this life, at one time or the other, is not telling the truth. Here is what the Lord Jesus himself says concerning this matter.
He says; “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”—John 16:33
In the above scripture, the Lord Jesus himself tells us that in him, we might have peace (because the peace of Christ is by choice of obedience). And that in the world we shall (not may) have tribulation. And of course, we’re in Christ Jesus, and at the same time we’re living in the world.
However, while we live in the world, we are not of the world. And the Lord says as we are in him, with his peace in us, we shall also face tribulation or pressure (challenges) in this world. Then he instructs us to be of good cheer because he had overcome the world.
Here, the Lord is telling us that so long we’re in him; we should be cheerful amidst the tribulation of this world. Because he had overcome or triumphed for us. And this triumph over the world is the reason and the hope for our cheerfulness amidst the tribulation of this life.
This cheerfulness of believers amidst the adversities of life is called patience or endurance. And all through the scriptures, we see there are allots of blessings that come with the Christian patience. So in this article, we want to scripturally study these divine blessings that come with the Christian patience, as we obey our Lord instruction of patience and endurance.
The Blessings of Christian Patience
Scripturally, below are the blessings of every patient and enduring believer in Christ Jesus:
- Fruitfulness: “ And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out
of every city, he spake a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he
sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the
air devoured it.
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And he cried, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And his disciples asked him, saying, what might this parable be? And he said, unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables, that seeing they might not see. And hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience”—Luke 8:4-16
I had to quote this long scripture, because it’s a parable with its interpretation by the Lord himself. And we have to understand everything in context. From this parable and interpretation of our Lord Jesus, it is very clear that many people fall out of the faith because of impatience. While those who bring forth fruit, only do so by patience. Without patience, no believer can bear the fruit of the Spirit or righteousness (See Verse 15).
- Perfection: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience
have her perfect work .That you might be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”—James
1:2-4
Here James by the Spirit reveals to us a great blessing that comes with patience in Christ. It says patience works perfection in us. That we may be entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing. So perfection here, talks about spiritual completeness. That is, completeness in spiritual growth; mental growth; and moral character.
- Fulfillment of God’s Promises: A life of patience as believers,
enable us receive the promises of God to us. Both the scriptural and individual
promises of God to us. Here is what the scripture says concerning this: “That ye be not slothful, but followers of
them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made
promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Saying, surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply
thee. And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise”—Hebrews
6:13-15.
This scripture quoted above, says we should follow in the examples of those who through faith and patience obtained the promises of God in their lives. And our father Abraham was sighted as one of those people. Even though God made a sworn promise of blessing and multiplication to him…
He not only obtained the promises by faith, but also by patience. Especially as he had to wait 25 years after God’s promise before giving birth to Isaac, in a naturally impossible old age.
- The Crown of Life: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: For when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love
him”—James 1:12.
This scripture clearly says the man that endures temptation (tribulation) is blessed. Because after his trials, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. What this means is that the believer in Christ Jesus that endures tribulation of this life to the very end, shall be rewarded with the crown of life by God in heaven.
So here you have it– The blessings of Christian patience. The Lord has called us to a life of faith in Christ. Then he also wants us to add patience to our faith. For fruitfulness, perfection, fulfillment of his promises and ultimately for us to receive the crown of life at the last day in his heavenly kingdom.
If you have any question or comment, you can leave your comment in the comment section below.
Remain Blessed!
Emeke Odili
