So far this week we have broken this verse down and tried to understand its meaning:" Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness , and patience. "
When I looked up the definition of patience there were a few, but this one is the best I found: Patience is the level of endurance ones character can take before negativity.
I wonder when I read a verse that lists qualities we should have , if they build on one another such as this verse does. Another words, can I have patience before I develop tenderhearted mercy? Or kindness? Why is patience last on the list? I know it's not because God doesn't think patience is important or He wouldn't list it as a command. Perhaps the reason is that God knows how he made us. And when we give our lives to Christ, He doesn't heap a pile of do's and don'ts on us. We tend to learn one lesson at a time. So thats why I decided to break this verse down...sometimes we read the words and don't really get the meaning.
I'll close with this. A long time ago, a very wise person gave me a great definition for patience. "Patience is a good teacher, it teaches us how to wait.
Simple, but true. I use this information alot at airports and grocery store lines.
Thanks Dad!
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