The Fruit of Patience

The Fruit Of Patience Part 3

The final work of patience is a concept we find in 2 Corinthians 4:10-12. ".. Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you." NKJV

Let's remember the prodigal from Luke 15 again. We know that the Father was having a work done in him. Patience in the circumstance, patience for the son. Patience should have it's way as the Father should have been dying to his dreams, dying to what he thought was best for his child, dying to demanding his own way. I think the Father did a lot of dying to himself. I know I have had to. That one you need patience with has probably made you say, "They are killing me!"* They are supposed to! Death is working in us. Look at 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 again. We need to die to ourselves so that the life of Jesus is manifested in us. God just may be using the area where we need patience the most to work death in us. "So then death is working in us..."

Now think about the prodigal (or person or circumstance) that calls you to be patient. What was going on in the prodigal? Vs 12-19 tell us what kind of living he was choosing. He traveled far from home, he wasted his possessions, he began to be in want so he fed the swine, and he was hungry. These are hard things for parents to know. We know the wasteful living of our children and we grow impatient for them to come to themselves as the prodigal finally did. But what process is the prodigal going through? "...But life in you." (Vs 12) Aren't you thankful that Jesus is patient with us? Aren't you glad that His priority is people not circumstances? He is working and His desire is to bring them life and life abundant! We may not see it but He is working in them to bring them to the end of their foolishness and give them life! He does not desire that any should perish so we wait patiently on Jesus as He waits patiently for our prodigals! He is working death in me but life in them. The desired result for me, you and the prodigal is that the old would be crucified and the new would be lived out.*

I am just a beggar telling other beggars where to find bread. These are points I learned recently. Few original thoughts have been written here. I hope you will allow patience to do its work in you. As you do, may you find hope in your circumstances and mercy for people even if your situation doesn't seem to change. *Paraphrased form Beth Moore "Living Beyond Yourself" Session 6

Kathy Withers is a full-time staff member at America's KESWICK, serving in the KESWICK Book and Gift Shop