Be Patient and
Respectful
James
Chapter 1 Verses 19 and 20 in the Good
News Bible tells us this:
(19)
Remember this, my dear brothers! Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to
speak and slow to become angry.
(20) Man’s
anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.
Quick to
listen
Slow to speak
Slow to anger
These are
three things we can do to learn to be patient. Being patient with ourselves and
with others is a great virtue. We see in Proverbs Chapter 14 Verse 29 in the
Good News Bible this statement:
(29) If you
stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid
you are.
Wow- this
statement is very straightforward.
Being calm,
and slow to speak is wisdom; and having a hot temper is stupidity or
folly. This is my interpretation of how
I see this proverb. How do you see this proverb?
In our
wisdom we share our ability to discern a situation, give good instruction to
bring about the best result for all, and hopefully enlighten others so they
grow in wisdom. By remaining calm others are more likely to remain in the same
state as well. When we listen to others in any given situation, good or
otherwise; we can understand the fullness of what the situation requires. Then
we can bring God’s action and a good result. His righteous purpose as we see in
verse 20.
When we
become angry, unkind words and actions take place. Sometimes these words or
actions can never be forgotten by the person who was on the receiving end of
such. They may well choose to forgive, (and I pray they do), as God instructs
us to do, however, forgetting is sometimes a long journey. We see in Proverbs
Chapter 15 Verse 4 (GNB):
(4) Kind
words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit. And now in Verse 7 of the
same chapter we read;
(7)
Knowledge is spread by people who are wise, not by fools.
So when we
are calm, quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger we are wise, patient
and respectful. This helps not only ourselves but everyone in close proximity
because they can see our actions. They see us displaying God’s love and mercy.
As God’s purpose is fulfilled in every circumstance in our lives others see
Christ in us and us in Christ. With kind words and righteous purpose we bring
to life; God’s purpose.
Every day we
are given the opportunity to live the virtues given to us in the Bible. In
Galatians Chapter 5 Verses 22 and 23 we see these 9 virtues;
(22) But the
spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
(23) humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.
My dear
friends, for us to exercise these virtues every day we certainly will live a
life that is patient and respectful.
Enjoy your
day being the word of God to the very best of your ability. Let others see His
word in action in you. Be patient and respectful with yourself and with others.
God bless you.
Please note
– this Sunday, March 20th, I will not be presenting a video. I am taking a
vacation day to spend time with family, however I will have a written message
for Wednesday, March 23rd.
In lieu of
my video may I suggest you take that time to read Psalm 34 and give thanks to
God for His goodness. Also keep prayers raised for the Ukraine and Russia that
this war would cease in the name of Jesus.
The last
verse of Psalm 34 in the Good News Bible reads:
(22)The Lord
will save his people; those who go to him for protection will be saved.
My prayer
for you to end with after your reading on Sunday is:
To all
people all over the world: May God‘s love and protection be with us always as
we continue to put our hope and trust in Him.
Amen
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