Patience…soon?

There are two great virtues that all children need to learn and that, in the learning, test the same virtues of the parents: Patience and self-control.

Recently I have been reminded that the study of these key virtues—which make all other virtues possible—are central to our life in Christ. Isn’t it true on an experiential level that one of the greatest struggles in the Christian faith generally revolves around a lack of patience? Why doesn’t God answer my prayer for money, or for a spouse, or for justice . . . and now? This is not simply a personal issue; it is an institutional, family, and community issue. We as a community get impatient and the related agitation often can lead to anger and violence, both of which are rooted in one’s own “self-esteem” or pride, as if to say “I (or “we”) know better.”

Waiting may cause us to wonder if God is listening, if he cares, or if he really is truly just and a loving God. Faith is tested in the waiting. We begin to understand the imprecatory psalms when we have to wait without seeing justice done, or for vindication, or simply for what we think is our due:

However, God, in this magnificent and beautiful but fallen world, has designed redemption as a process that requires waiting and, therefore, patience. In fact, our salvation, redemption and sanctification require patience as seen not only in the history of salvation as revealed in Scripture, but also in the many passages that talk about our life in Christ.

For example, Abraham was saved through “faith,” not by working it out on his own (Romans 4:1-9). And this faith required patience. As we know, Abraham did have faith, but it was wrought with trials. He patiently waited for the promised offspring to be born, but when a child was not forthcoming within the timeframe he had hoped, his wife, Sarai, suggested rushing things along by “going into my maid,” as she put it. He listened to his wife and then they rushed God’s promise. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael and all manner of trouble and heartache ensued—the fruit of impatience.

But since his covenant was not one of works, but of faith in God’s work, Abraham was not cast out for his impatience. In fact, we can say confidently and thankfully that God himself was patient with Abraham. God is forgiving and forbearing.

Not only is patience essential in our salvation and sanctification, but it is also necessary for the cultivation of self-control. Where there is patience, the capricious emotions of doubt and even anger are quelled and that is the fruit of self-control.

There is the clear message from the history of Israel that God was remarkably forbearing with Israel’s faithlessness and covenant breaking. The prophet Amos repeatedly emphasizes, “For three sins and for four…” (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13, etc.). God does not send Israel into exile for the first sin, nor for the second. God is patient. His justice will prevail but in his good and perfect time. He is patient as we exercise faith, which reflects his own character.

“Be ye holy as I am holy,” (I Peter 1:16) can be refracted in part, as if to say, “Be ye patient as I am patient.” I believe that part of our becoming holy is realized when we are patient and thus self-controlled.

To come full circle, as we remember that God is patient with us, we need to embrace patience ourselves as we teach the same to our children and congregations. Without patience, we cannot attain self-control, nor can we become holy or reflect any of the fruits of the spirit. I leave you with this thought: Is it even possible to nurture the fruits of the Spirit, or to express love or generosity, without first developing patience and self-control?

Dr. Scott W. Sunquist, president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, is author of the “Attentiveness” blog. He welcomes comments, responses, and good ideas.