Lesson 5 Fruit of Spirit: Patience and Kindness

(Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Patience
1. Introduction :

The greek word of patience is macro-thumia, which means – macro=long, thumos=temper. The idea is similar to that of anger taking a long time to build up before it is being expressed. It is under control.

Fruits are linked.

What does God says about anger. Paul caution (Ephes 4:26) “In your anger do not sin”. Anger it an emotion given by our creator, in itself is not wrong, but its how we chose to display it.

Constructive anger vs destructive anger.

Impatience and destructive anger is a learned response, however it can be replaced under the control of the Holy Spirit

Thomas Kempis (Imitation of Christ)
Patience is necessary in this life because much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. Peace is not found in escaping temptations but by being tried by them. We discover peace when we have been tried and come through the trail of temptations.

A patient person knows the shortness of time and the length of eternity.

KINDNESS

Introduction:
The greek word for kindness is chrestos. :goodness in action, sweetness in disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those who are trying our patience.

Read Luke 6:32- 36
Luk 6:35 -36 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

David says : Psa 86:5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

His kindness to sinners should encourage to continue in his kindness:

Rom 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.


Who is our neighbour ?
Luk 10:27 He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Story of good Samaritian Luke 10:30 -37.

We all have good reasons to walk pass. WE choose our feelings, to be compassionate or to turn away.


Summary :

Mat 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Mat 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Mat 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."