Pattern - Great Patience

As I was studying Galatians 5: 22 and 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Longsuffering: attitude of uncomplaining

Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 1 Peter 3:20

Longsuffering waited — waited patiently, great patience of God was waiting.

How long did God wait? According to Genesis 6:3 — And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” At least 120 years before flooding the earth. 

And I have trouble waiting weeks, days, or at times even minutes. When you consider the patience  the longsuffering that God did as he continued to watch the people He created sin against Him..... while providing an opportunity to be saved...... that is indeed longsuffering. 

And as I shared yesterday in my blog post, (Pattern) I am to pattern that same longsuffering. Something I need to work on for sure. 

Pattern

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Longsuffering: attitude of uncomplaining

However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 1 Timothy 1:16

That: a conjunction denoting purpose, definition or result

In: in the condition (state) in which something operates from the inside (within)

Might show: to make fully evident, showing conspicuous proof which demonstrates something as undeniable;  demonstrate, prove, whether by arguments or by acts

Longsuffering: attitude of uncomplaining

Pattern: prototype, pattern placed before one to be held fast and copied, model, for imitation

From a compound of hupo and a derivative of tupos: Hupo:  "under authority" of someone working directly as a subordinate. Tupos: a model forged by repetition; based on reliable precedent for others to then follow—pattern.

Are going: of what is sure to happen: with an infinitive present

Believe: to intrust a thing to one

for: "motion into which" implying union to a particular purpose or result

Everlasting: life operates simultaneously outside of time, inside of time, and beyond time, eternal

Life: used emphatically of the absolute fullness of life

Pattern. 

I am to be a pattern so that others can see and undeniable proof that Jesus Christ is the only why to eternal life. 

Demonstrate making fully evident longsuffering as a pattern. 

A pattern of an attitude of uncomplaining. Pattern.

Captain. Through.

In preparation for this morning's Worship Service, I read Hebrews 2:9-18. Verse 10, caught my attention. 

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 (NKJV)

For: indeed, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification

Many: emphasizes the quantity involved

Sons: properly, a son (by birth or adoption); (figuratively) anyone sharing the same nature as their Father. For the believer, becoming a son of God begins with being reborn (adopted) by the heavenly Father – through Christ (the work of the eternal Son). Emphasizes likeness of the believer to the heavenly Father, i.e. resembling His character more and more by living in faith; highlights the (legal) right to the Father's inheritance.

Glory: "the glorious condition of blessedness into which it is appointed and promised that true Christians shall enter after their Saviour's return from heaven" Thayer's Greek Lexicon 

Captain: from two words meaning "the first" and "to lead" – properly, the first in a long procession; a file-leader who pioneers the way for many others to follow. Arxēgós does not strictly mean "author," but rather "a person who is originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader – i.e. 'pioneer leader, founding leader' " HelpsBible.com

Salvation: to bring to the end (goal) proposed

Perfect: to bring to the end (goal) proposed

Through: "thoroughly," literally, "successfully" across to the other side

Sufferings: misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction, something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain

A couple words stand out to me as I read and studies Hebrews 2:9-18.

Captain (first and leader, currently involved)

Through (successfully across to the other side; victory!)

Looking forward to hearing Pastor Osborne preach

on Hebrews 2:9-18 this morning. 

To listen the sermon, check this website:

http://www.faithbaptistwh.org/watchservice/

Faith Baptist Church • Winter Haven, FL

What does God prefer?

As I was studying Galatians 5:22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Back to "Love". Love, what God prefers. 

As I started thinking about WHAT GOD PREFERS, I had to stop and really think about what I know about God, and what I know God's Word says. 

This love is not a feeling that changes with the seasons. God does not change. He is holy. He is just. He is righteous. What God prefers is not something that I can change because I want to justify my actions, attitude, or what I want in life. What God prefers, is based on God Himself. 

First and foremost, I need to make sure that I am setting the standard for my life based on "what God prefers".  That means, that I have to filter what the World tells me is ok, through God's Word. Looking at our Nation and what is "acceptable" in lifestyles, dress, conduct, music, actions, attitude, mind-sets — one can clearly see that we have left God out of our decision making. 

What God prefers is not a suggestion of conduct. No, what God prefers is the solid foundation on which our lives should be built. What God prefers is steadfast, unchangeable, and truth. 

What God prefers. What does God prefer? Here are two verses the immediately come to mind. 

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8  

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

What God prefers. That should impact every aspect of my heart, mind and soul. Am I choosing "what God prefers"? 

Power is Readily Available

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

After I finished studying Galatians 5:22-23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words. I don't think I ever noticed how often God tells us to live — the "Fruit of the Spirit". I think that God knew that we needed many reminders and explanations of how He wants to live our lives. 

Today, I'm studying 2 Peter 1:5-7. It starts with "for this very reason" — for this very purpose.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NKJV)

I've been thinking about the meaning of "for this very reason". It's not haphazard. There is a very specific purpose that we are — giving all diligence.

Giving all diligence: from speudo; "speed", with eagerness, earnestness.

But before we get to 2 Peter 1:5-7, we should stop and look back at the very specific reason we should quickly with earnestness proceed.

2 Peter 1:1-4

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The two thoughts that stand out to me in these verses are: 1. I owe my live to Jesus Christ. I am his bondservant — because without Him, I would be left in my sin and separated from God. 2. God gives me the power and wisdom needed to live the life He asks me to live. I don't have to do it alone. 

Because of those two facts, for that very reason — and am to speedily with earnest, ADD........ 

Add: "bring deeply into," to carrying through with real personal involvement (energy). This strongly stresses the need of the believer's deep, personal involvement in the faith-life

Faith: Faith is only (exclusively) given to the redeemed. It is not a virtue that can be worked up by human effort.

Virtue: moral excellence, which is displayed to enrich life

Knowledge: moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living

Self-control: dominion mastery, proceeding out from within oneself, but not by oneself — only be accomplished by the power of the Lord.

Perseverance: steadfastness, constancy, endurance, the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

Godliness: reverence, respect, piety toward God

Brotherly kindness: the love which Christians cherish for each other as 'brethren'

Love: love which centers in moral preference;  typically refers to divine love = what God prefers

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_peter/1-5.htm

There is a theme that runs through the meaning of these words — moral. And that morality is not based on feelings, or what I perceive to be moral on any given day. No, these are all based on what God says is morality. 

And since they are each based upon the Holy and Upright God, God Almighty, there is no way I, as a sinner, could even begin to achieve or live out any of these characteristics — EXCEPT for the fact that God says that HE gives me the power and wisdom needed to do so! 

The focus for this particular study is "self-control". Before I can have dominion mastery, I just first make sure that I'm accepting God's faith, virtue, and knowledge. For those are the foundation necessary to having self-control. 

Dominion Mastery — can only be accomplished by the power of the Lord. And that power is readily available. The question is, am I willing to accept it?