"... If [I cleanse myself in Christ's blood, I] will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
John MacArthur, Daily Study Bible: "...went out of God's protection into His judgment, as all who are disobedient to His word do" (1088).
Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself: "Without kindness, goodness becomes harsh and self-righteous" (134).
kindness = "a tender heart and a nurturing spirit."
The qualities of the fruit of the Spirit are "manifestations of the Father Himself through the yielded or Spirit-filled child of God..."
"El Shaddai, the Father of sufficiency, our God, the nurturing Parent" (136)
"God-sized problems don't fit women-sized hands" (137).
Isaiah 12:6: "...great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Beth Moore, viewing guide for Chapter 6, "A Composite of Peculiar Patience, " Living Beyond Yourself: deals with hope, patience in circumstances, the judgmental/critical spirit, mercy, and Biblical forgiveness.
Patience in circumstances is inspired by hope.
Patience with people is inspired by mercy (Amp.: even-tempered, forbearing). God's priority is always going to be people.
PART 1: THE COMPLICATION OF PATIENCE
James 5:7-9, 22, 2 Peter 3:9, 15: We are called to wait patiently for the LORD as He waits patiently for the lost. He will keep me in a situation until I learn to react differently--His way.
Patience waits; waiting does NOT = idleness; waiting = WORK.
PART 2: THE CALL TO PATIENCE
A. Colossians 3:12-13: patience which is TIRELESS (Amp.)
Ephesians 4:1-2: making allowances
Both verses couple our word patience with "bearing one another" (to put up with, or forbear).
B. Restraint is part of forbearance: "holding up" others to God and "holding back" all that my flesh wants to do or say.
"Patience waits when it wants to WHACK!
PART 3: THE COMPLETION OF PATIENCE
The practice of patience helps complete something lacking IN ME (sandpaper).
This truth is proven in forbearance with people in that
- They bring out the worst in me
- They keep me from thinking too highly of myself.
- They keep my pretenses from working. (They're supposed to do so!)
2 Corinthians 4:10-12 (bringing everything to death that is not of Him) God could be working death in one person and life in the other. Trust Him.
God is committed to bringing OUT the worst in me. (He brings it up so that He can bring it out.) I must pray that God bring out the worst in me--then rid me of it!
A great harvest requires "a good killing."
CONFLICT = COMMITMENT PROMPTS CHANGE. (I have not understood this concept. In it lies much of the reason I have not "grown up": I have believed that conflict is an indication of being out of God's will, have removed myself from the conflict because "God hates strife.")
SIDENOTES
If God called us by our Starbucks orders, what would we be called?
My difficulties= all that it takes for God to kill self-righteousness in me.
God cannot use my arrogance.
Peace comes with a sword in relationships that are not Godly for us: Is God present in the relationship? Is the enemy present? (oppression)
God's will cannot be measured by ease versus difficulty. Hard does not always = bad.
Convenience never produces character.
Let patience have its perfect work.
Don't minimize God's finishing work.
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