YEAR OF PATIENCE

JANUARY 2003       

Volume 32 Issue 1  No. 322

From the Chairman…

Year of Patience

One of the most startling statements Jesus made to His disciples was, "I no longer call you servants... Now you are My friends" (Jn 15:15). It is unlikely that the disciples at that time understood its full implication. What Jesus meant was intimate fellowship with Him in life and death. After Easter and Pentecost the disciples started growing deeper and deeper in that fellowship through the power of the Holy Spirit. This companionship in spirit with Jesus was expressed in their lives through various characteristics of His person. One such character was patience. After walking with Christ for over 60 years, apostle John at the end of his life declared that he was a "companion in the Patience of Jesus" (Rev 1:9).

The very name of the Almighty is the "God of Patience" (Rom 15:5). Though Christian life is a race, it must be run with patience (Heb 12:1). According to Paul, a strong Christian is one who is patient and longsuffering (Col 1:11). The first three in the list of the fruits of the Spirit are the outcome of the next six virtues. Patience is the first of the six (Gal 5:22,23). It is given top priority in the classic description of Christian love (1 Cor 13:4). Patience is the perfecting power of spirituality (Js 1:4).

Man lost Paradise because of impatience. This cardinal sin has plagued every section of the society and is invading every quarter of the Church. More patience in the business world would mean less corruption in transactions. More patience in family life would mean less broken homes. More patience in highways would mean less patients in hospitals. More patience in Christian life would mean less weaklings in the Church. More patience in the Christian work would mean less carnality in the methods. So goes the list. Lengthening our patience is the best way to shorten our troubles!

The life of Christ vividly illustrates the power of patience.

While spiritual birth happens at an instant, growth is a process. Born as the Son of God, Jesus took about 30 years for His growth (Lk 3:23). He did not begin His public ministry until then. Luke records that Jesus "grew" in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with men (2:52)—intellectual, physical, spiritual and social growth.

The Boy Jesus knew so much even at the age of twelve. His wisdom surprised the religious leaders and people. But He did not rush into ministry eventhough He undoubtedly had a sense of urgency. He waited. He refused to be pressurised by the needs around. This preministerial preparation of Jesus is tacitly overlooked by us to our own disadvantage and disaster.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul stresses that a leader should not be a recent convert (1 Tim 3:6). An immature person gets puffed up with pride when he is catapulted to positions of authority. He crashlands and brings disgrace to himself and dishonour to the work of God. Paul equates it to the downfall of the devil. In verses 4 and 5 the apostle speaks of proving in domestic responsibility, and in verse 7 he calls for public dignity. These are neither learnt nor developed overnight.

Our pulpits are downgraded by immature ministers. They defend themselves quoting Paul who started preaching "immediately" after his conversion (Acts 9:20). What they forget is the years of rigorous training and teaching this Jewish zealot had before his highway experience with Christ. All through his life Paul was committed to his personal growth (Acts 9:22a; Phil 3:8-14). Even while awaiting execution, he asked for his "books" (2 Tim 4:13).

Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God’s will. To Jesus the will of the Father was more important than His necessary food. He waited patiently until He knew what the Father had wanted Him to do. He never panicked whatever the situation, but quietly pondered over to understand what His Father would have done at that time. He testified, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (Jn 5:19).

When they ran out of wine in the wedding at Cana, Mary rushed to Jesus and reported the problem. Jesus coolly replied, "My hour has not yet come!" (Jn 2:3,4). In other words, He had not yet heard from His Father what to do and how. It was when the servants related and waited, Jesus began to give instructions (vv 5-8). During the waiting time, Jesus perhaps went around to see what was all available. He found huge waterpots and enough water to fill them! Simultaneously He must have received directions from Above. What an illustration!

Our carnal mind desires to know everything and that too instantly. When Saul Paul from the dusty road cried out in amazement, "Lord, what do You want me to do?", the Lord did not give him a blueprint. No package plan! He simply said, "Go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:6). What a humiliating answer to that highminded scholar! But God shows only one step at a time. The first step that God shows us is sometimes so simple that most of us are reluctant to take, and therefore miss the second step and the entire guidance.

With the restoration of the gifts of the Spirit, there’s a presumption that one can know everything instantly. This is nothing but the devil’s timeless trick: "You will be like God, knowing..." (Gen 3:5). But God’s method of revelation and guidance is always "here a little, there a little" (Isa 28:10). This too is promised only to those who take a childlike attitude (v9; Psa 131:2).

Many a young person has ruined his or her marriage by an impatient choice. Don’t run ahead of God or lag behind. Learn from Him how to rest. His rest is like "a pleasant summer day" and "a lovely autumn morning" (Isa 18:4; Mt 11:28-30).

The Feast of Tabernacles was near. Jesus’ own brothers urged Him to go to the Feast and work miracles publicly. They said, "No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret!" (Jn 7:4). Look at His answer: "The right time for Me has not yet come; for you any time is right" (v 6).

Eventhough it was His own brothers who suggested the promotional programme to Jesus, He politely turned it down. He knew that a natural man could not understand the things of God, and the carnal mind was enmity against God. So many preachers have missed the perfect will of God because of strained comparison and ill advice. How many ministries are corrupted and commercialised because of the lust for limelight!

Jesus knew that promotion would come from Above, not from east or west or south (Psa 75:6,7). It was this firm conviction that made Him say a resounding no to a related temptation on the hilltop (Mt 4:8-10). He taught Himself patience to await the Father’s time when every knee would bow before Him acknowledging His lordship (Phil 2:9-11).

Apostle Peter exhorted young people to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that He might exalt them in "due time" (1 Pet 5:6). No man can exalt us to a place God has not designed for us; nor can anyone bring us down from where God has placed us. God will vindicate us for any injustice done to us. The earlier we learn this truth the better for us. We will be freed from tensions and conflicts. Self-promoting techniques simply place us at the devil’s hands. The end will be miserable.

The patience of the Carpenter of Nazareth at odd circumstances was admirable. Now, it was a woman caught redhand in adultery. The accusers were Bible teachers and temple leaders. They demanded a verdict from Jesus. But He bent down and began writing on the ground as though He did not hear. As the leaders kept on questioning Him, He replied, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." They were convicted and left one by one, leaving the woman before the One who alone had the right to stone her. Jesus then told her, "Neither do I condemn you!" (Jn 8:1-11).

Jesus did not act on impulse. He calmly analysed the situation. He thought about the accused and the accusers. He took time, writing on the ground. Don’t we keep scribbling on paper when we just don’t know what exactly to do, or how to tackle a situation?

We are commanded not to judge anything before the "appointed time" (1 Cor 4:5). Let’s be patient with the faults of others; they may have to be patient with ours! Friends are separated and fellowships are broken because of judgmental mentality. If God is as impatient with us as we are towards others, what will be our lot? (Mt 18:21-35). Count seventy times seven!

Jesus could have returned long ago to judge this world which is sold out to sin. But He is delaying because of His unwillingness that anyone should perish without enough time for repentance (2 Pet 3:9). Folks are mistaking His patience for slackness, but He does not bother about people’s opinion. He is concerned only about their salvation. In the same way, people may call our tolerance as compromise. But we must always be restorative in our dealings with others, as Jesus was to that sinful woman. We are called to disciple people, not destroy them by our haste and hurry. Many times it is the plank in our own eye that blurs the vision against enlightened discernment (Mt 7:1-5).

News reached Jesus that His friend Lazarus was sick. Anyone else would have at once hurried to the spot to help his friend or perform a miracle if he could. But not Jesus. "He stayed two more days in the place where He was" (Jn 11:6). We know it was a purposeful delay, because later He told His disciples, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe" (v 15).

Had Jesus visited Lazarus immediately, the miracle would have been one of healing. Now because He delayed, the family could have a greater miracle—resurrection! Divine delays are not denials. They are meant to develop us and the situation so we may better comprehend His ways.

Praise God for instant healings. But the undeniable fact is that most of the healings are delayed and gradual. Almost all the healing miracles of Jesus in the gospels were instant. But there is no one like Jesus who walks in perfect obedience and submission to the Father. As such God has not entrusted any other man with such power. Our acceptance or otherwise of this fact does not alter it.

Biblical patience is not rooted in fatalism that says everything is out of control. It is rooted in faith that says everything is in God’s control (Rom 8:28). There’s no place for faith if we expect God to fulfil immediately what He promises. Patient endurance is a condition to receive what God has promised (Heb 10:36; 6:12). The Book of Psalms abounds with testimonies of deliverance that David experienced when he waited patiently (Psa 40:1; 62:1). A German proverb says, Patience is a bitter plant but it bears sweet fruit!

The trouble with us today is that we want a 707 flight to the promised land without walking through the wilderness. Our impatience only learns patience through the thorn of delay and darkness.

Though the entire earthly life of Christ was one of suffering from the cradle to the Cross, His sufferings intensified infinitely during the final days. Read through the last chapters of the gospels. His patience stands out. Peter, who was an eyewitness of all the mistreatment and suffering his Master experienced, wrote later, "When you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 Pet 2:20,21).

How could Jesus be so patient in suffering? Because, He knew that everything in His life had been ordained by His Father. And that the Father had a lofty purpose behind all that. And the sufferings were for His own learning and perfection (Heb 2:10; 5:8). Because He suffered He succours with sympathetic understanding those who suffer (Heb 4:15,16). Nothing but this confidence can keep us patient in suffering.

"Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (Js 5:11). "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (1:2,3). Patience is the sturdiest of all shock absorbers.

Everything worked contrary to what God had revealed to young Joseph in a dream. But he waited patiently without murmuring. He let the Word of God try him during the dark years. Finally the sun rose on him. He walked majestically from prison to palace (Psa 105:17-22).

A young girl after listening to her pastor preach on patience prayed, "Lord, give me patience; I want it right now!" Of all the virtues, patience must be learnt patiently. The moment you decide to be patient, legions of situations will arise to try your patience. Don’t give up, but imitate Jesus the Master of patience. The ultimate victory of the saints over Satan is through patience (Rev 13:10; 14:12). Be patient, beloved, be patient!

If I were a boy again...

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should start by putting "first things first." I should accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour and give my heart and life to Him as my Keeper. I should do so because it is the right thing to do, and the way to be right and keep right is to do the right thing.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should make Jesus my Chief Friend, for experience has taught me He is the best friend an youngster can have. He would save me from my boyish indiscretion, fillies and sins. He would be a strength to me in all my boyhood’s troubles, for He knows all about them, and He dearly loves youth. He would fight the devil for me in times of temptation. Yes, and overcome him too, every time.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should let Jesus fill me with His Holy Spirit, for I have learned what few boys seem to know, that youngsters may be filled with the Holy Spirit, and they need Him too. Indeed, if the Holy Spirit does not fill the youth, some other spirit must, and any other is not to be compared with Him.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not care a bit though other boys called me "  soft " and " religious  " for it, for NOW I know that those who are so ready with their "  names  "  and who laugh at these things, are the very ones who go all wrong in life for lack of them.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should let God fill my mind with "whatever things are lovely, pure and of good report," so that I might be saved from the disastrous defilements that so often fill the mind in boyhood days, and corrupt the streams of life at their source.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should let Jesus choose my companions. I should do this because it would save me from drifting into all sorts of company that might damage me for all after-days. He knows the best sort of friends for a teenager.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should read my Bible, as God’s Word, and reverence it as such, because it is the best book for the guidance of a young person. I should also be careful to observe my times of prayer, for it is as necessary for me to speak to God in prayer, as it is for Him to speak to me through His Word if I would keep right with Him, with others, and all else.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should consider my body to be what God has said it is— "The Temple of the Holy Spirit." I should therefore act as if it belonged to Him, and would yield every organ of it to His service, and protect and care for it and use it for His glory.

I should never abuse my body by poisoning it with either "smoke  " or " drink." When asked by any other boy to "smoke " or " drink," I should say, "No!"

I should say "No!" to many other things as well, which now, as a man, I know are harmful, and wish I had said "No  " to when I was a boy. I should do this also, because I have learned that he is the truly "brave " and "heroic  " boy, who can say "No " to what is wrong and hurtful, and he is the " slave  " and the "soft" who fears to say it.

I should exercise my body, and not abuse any organ of it for selfish or sinful gratification. I should keep it clean, active, and wellfed. I should watch, however, that I did not live, or seem to live, for the main object of developing huge muscles or large limbs. I should in many ways subdue my body so that neither by its " passions " or its " pleasures  "  I should become its slave, or it should become my "master  " or my " god."

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should watch what my eyes lighted upon, and especially what they LINGERED upon, and instantly divert them from all that would be hurtful to my imagination, for I know that even the best of men cannot erase from their minds the foul impressions photographed on them in their boyhood days.

I should close my ears to "boy’s secrets," to unclean suggestions, and "  slang  " and "swearing." I should protest against all such as degrading and ungentlemanly.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should rise early and instantly as I awoke.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should be satisfied to dress simply but neatly; and should keep my clothes clean.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should keep my hands from ever touching the "gambler’s  " gains, and all dishonest dealings, no matter how respectable might be their looks, or their names. I should do this because I have learned that my character is worth more than millions of money got in any such dishonest and degrading way.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should watch my tongue to say no unkind words that would wound another or cause trouble to any needlessly.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not permit my feet to frequent the "theatre," the " race course," or any place to join with the "ungodly," or " sinners," or "scorners" in their pleasures (Psa 1).

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should love, honour, and obey my parents in the Lord, knowing that God has placed them over me for my guidance and control. I should not be so conceited as to think that I knew more, or even as much as my father or mother, but should reckon that they knew best, and reverence their advice so that I might have no vain regrets for having caused them sorrow when I was a young. I should not think that people who were older than myself knew nothing or there about, but should respect age, experience, and position, and be ever ready to at least listen to advice.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, at school, I should learn my lessons with a greater heart, so as to give my teachers pleasure and myself profit (and perhaps less pain).

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not be deluded by the idea that every boastful braggart and loud-tongued talker was a "hero," or even one whose company should be coveted for. I have learned that " empty vessels make the greatest sound." I was told that when I was a boy. I didn’t believe it then when "brag " and " noise " counted for so much. I believe it now.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not consider it an enviable distinction to be the "bully " of the class, and a terror to all the little boys around. Nor should I make the "bully " type of boy my companions, and that for many good reasons.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should go in for all the play that was proper; but I should not play when I ought to be at work. That would be serious discount on my after-life, and I know now it is neither half so profitable nor enjoyable to play till work is done.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should laugh — of course I should — yes, even as a Christian boy filled with the Holy Spirit, but it would be at only what was innocent, pure, and whole-some and never at what was foolish or filthy.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, and at business, I should endeavour to know what God meant me to be, and should get into it and stick at it. I should make my boss ’s interest my own, and should consider I had no more right to use his envelopes, paper, pens and time, than I had to use his money for my own private purposes.

If, as a boy at business, I should find my lot cast amongst ungodly, foul-mouthed, and dissolute associates, I should be careful ever to act gentlemanly toward them, but I should certainly not seek or choose their company after business hours.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not "fall in love  " and make promises of marriage at fifteen. I should make up my mind to wait till I was at least twentyone before I settled that most vital question, and chose a partner for life. It is not common for boys to so reason, but if they had the experience of forty years on their shoulders they would see the wisdom of such reasonableness.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should be more careful of my time, knowing that when it is wasted, it can never be recalled, and that all after-life may be seriously affected by the loitering away of the precious hours of youth.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not alter my life  ’s motto by one word, but I should seek more earnestly and carefully to observe to do it in every detail. Here it is — won ’t you, my boy, make it yours? — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths " (Prov 3:5,6).

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should not want to be a man before the time; I should want to be a boy as long as possible. I should live in the light of the " eternity " ahead of me, and the coming of my Saviour for me.

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I should—oh, what should I not do, now that I know so much better how to do it.

What do you say, my boy — "It’s all impossible?" Well, Yes, I grant you that it would be impossible for me, or any other boy, but not if I started right — "with God all things are possible."

IF I WERE A BOY AGAIN, I could not do all this; but the blessed fact is, if I let Christ do it, He could do it, and He would do it, in me and through me, EVEN AS A BOY.

May it be yours, my boy, to know the blessedness of such a life as is surrendered to the will of God, and says, "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME."

Your true friend,

Edinburgh, Scotland