by: Tommy Novak

When you look at Matthew Henry’s definition of "patience" (or "longsuffering"), does it change the way you answer that question ?

“It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience that shall rather wait and wish for the reformation of a brother than fly out in resentment of his conduct. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves, and wait long to see the kindly effects of such patience on him.”

When I understand the kind of patience God has with me, it makes me want to be more patient with other people. What kind of person would I be if I received this gift from God and turned right around and did not extend that same patience to others? In Matthew 18:21-34, Jesus gives a parable of the unmerciful servant to help us understand what He thinks about those who don’t respond in the same ways God responds to us:

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents[g] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.  26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.  28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[h] He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.  29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'  30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.  32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

If we are to live our lives in such a way that we imitate Christ, I believe it begins with how we are patient or model longsuffering to those we love. Today, you have an opportunity to reflect Christ to those you are closest to by modeling what Christ has already done for you.

Name two people in your life right now that you can offer patience to, then go do it!