Teachings from Quest for God's Own Heart Ministry

Love is Patient: Part Three

 1 Corinthians 13:1

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

In our first week talking about patience, we focused on the fact that though we would love for Jesus to come now, we are to be patient just as God Himself is patient so that others may come to know Jesus Christ. We should reach out to the lost so that they too will meet Him in the air.

Last week, our focus concerning patience was on waiting patiently for God’s answer to prayer. Instead of making our prayer life all about what we desire, and expecting it immediately, we are to come to our Heavenly Father, desiring to have an intimate relationship with Him.

We need to stop acting like God is supposed to give us everything we want. The Bible does not teach the “Name it, Claim it theology” that is being preached in way too many churches today.

God has promised that He will take care of us. He will provide for our needs, not our wants. It is not that God does not desire for us to enjoy our lives on earth, but if THINGS are more important to us than God, our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and the lost, than we are not focused on having the mind of Christ. We are not focused on being the Body of Christ.

We also talked about the fact that we are not to live a life of envy or jealousy. We need to instead live a life of joy, serving and following the God of all understanding, the God of our salvation.

Jealousy and anger play no role in the life of a follower of Jesus. We are to love as He has loved us. We are to see others as more important than we are. We are to live a life of patience. We are to live a life of peace.

This week, we will finish our lessons on patience. Today we will focus on having patience with one another.

Have Patients with Fellow Believers.

In my thirty-one years as a believer, I have found that Christians tear each other down more than the world does. Legalism has taken over too many churches.

If a member of the church does something wrong, we too often condemned them, instead of lifting them up. If a member stops coming to church, we tend to forget all about them, instead of reaching out to them.

Instead of loving one another, instead of being like Jesus, too many churches have become Social Clubs. If you don’t follow the rules, you are no longer welcomed. Where is the love? Where is the heart of Jesus? Is that what Jesus would do?

In Ephesians 4:1-4, Paul told the church of Ephesus:

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”

We are to be humble and gentle to everyone. When we are humble and gentle, the Bible tells us that we will then be worthy of our calling. It is when we are boastful and full of pride that we attack one another, instead of building one another up.

We are to be patient as we help one another. Instead of condemning, we are to be making allowances for each other’s faults. Having patience is the key!

Why did the Bible say that we are to be humble? Why does it say that we are to be gentle? Why are we to be making allowances for one another’s faults? Because of Love!

When we show the world the Love of Jesus Christ, we will be humble, for He was humble.

When we show the world the Love of Jesus Christ, we will be gentle, for He was gentle.

When we show the world the Love of Jesus Christ, we will be building one another up instead tearing one another down, for Jesus lifted Himself up, so that we can be one body.

We need to train one another patiently in love.

Train in Love

Romans 15:2-3, 5-7:

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please Himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on Me”… May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.”

Instead of condemning someone when they do something wrong, we are to patiently lift them up, teaching them what the Bible says. We are to teach them God’s truths in love.

Let us not be like the world. We are the Body of Christ. Why would we spend our time trying to destroy the Body of Christ? Think about it. That is exactly what we are doing when we condemn fellow believers.

We need to lovingly, and patiently build them up with the truth of God’s Word. We need to live in harmony. When we live in harmony, not only will we be able to rejoice as one body, but we will also be a shining light to everyone around us. We will be a reflection of the Love of Christ. Let us truly love one another as Christ loves us.

Loving One Another, as Christ Loves Us!

Romans 12:9-13:

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”

It would be hypocritical for us to say that we love Jesus, yet not love His body. We are the Body of Christ. We are to love one another affectionately. We can’t do that if we are spending our time judging others. We should be spending our time honoring one another instead.

None of this is possible if we do not have patience. Love is patient.

When we see someone struggling, we are to patiently and lovingly help them. We are to lift them up.

When we see someone living a life that is not pleasing to Christ, we are to patiently and lovingly help them. We are to lift them up.

Why should we do this? Because Jesus patiently and lovingly hung on the cross, taking all of the abuses that we deserved so that we can become Children of God. Love is patient.

I want to leave you with one more passage. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you personally as you listen to the words from Colossians 3:12-15:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”