Love as Brethren – Be Patient!

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren …” 1 Peter 3v8 (KJV)

1 Corinthians 13, is the great love chapter, and one thing we are told about love is that it is patient or suffereth long. Our God is a patient and long suffering God. He is patient with sinners, 2 Peter 3v9 (AMP) saying “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” He is patient when we ask questions, or are pouring out our hearts to Him or pray. Imaging if He wasn’t patient? Then perhaps when we pray we just have an exact number of words, or time that we can come; but God isn’t impatient or short-fused. Psalm 62v8 (NLT) says “O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge. Interlude.” Are you approachable? God is patient with you and I, so let us be patient with one another and even with ourselves. We should be patient as we work together, serve together, believe together, pray together, wait on God for one thing or the other, and even with ourselves. If you notice you are impatient, don’t thrive on it as saying, oh, I am an impatient person – ask the Lord to help you. Love is patient. Our trials produce patience (James 1v3-4), while through faith and patience we can attain the promise (Hebrews 6v12). Are you patient with your children, your friends or the people in your local congregation? Love is patient! Ephesians 4v2 (NIV) says “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Supplementary Text

“Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,” Romans 15v5 (AMP)

Father, I thank You for You are Love, and Love is patient. Help me to be patient in Jesus name, amen.