The Fruit of the Spirit Part 4

How do we know that Jesus, Immanuel (God-with-us), is really with us? Paul answers that question beautifully in his letter to the disciples in Galatia who must have been wondering the same thing. Paul writes: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). When we experience any of these gifts in our daily lives, we know that Christ’s Spirit is at work.

The fourth fruit of the Spirit is patience. We have all had those moments when we demand: give me patience and I want it now! A spirit of demanding what we want is not the Spirit of Christ. The gift of patience comes to those who welcome the spirit of trust that is the Spirit of Christ.

A student of Paul’s wrote this to the disciples in Colassae: May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light (Colossians 1:11-12). The experience of God’s intention for light, for peace, harmony, and well-being for all is here in-part but not yet in fulfillment. We count on the Spirit’s gift of patience to endure hardship, to wait for peace to come in its fullness, and to do what we can where we are to reflect Divine light.

As you trust Christ to bring to fulfillment our hope for peace, open your heart to the gift of patience.

Yours in Christ,

Marc