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PA TIEN

PATIEN CE
TIENCE PATIENCE MAKES THE MAN!
MAKES Copyright 2004 R. STANLEY
THE MAN!

First Edition : April 2004


This Edition : July 2008

R. STANLEY, B.E., M.TECH.,


A BUILDING ENGINEER
TURNED BIBLE TEACHER Available in Tamil also

Printed by
Bapuji Printers
Published by 5 Kurban Ali Street
Woods Road
BLESSING YOUTH MISSION
Church Colony, Vellore 632 006, India Chennai 600 002
Tel: 0416-2242943, 2248943
<bym@sancharnet.in>
www.blessingyouthmission.org

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Meet the Author... Stanley is a profound Bible teacher,
powerful revival preacher, passionate
The Author was born to devoted Chris- missions challenger, pert youth mobilizer,
tian parents in Nazareth, a village highly practical trainer, prolific writer and a
influenced by English missionaries, in pleasant friend. Several of those influenced
South Tamilnadu, India. He was born again by his life and ministry are pastors,
at 16 in 1962 while a fresher in College, missionaries and leaders in various parts
and since then has been a sincere student of the world. His fruits abide. Besides
of the Bible. He graduated in building giving administrative leadership to the
engineering from the Madras University Blessing Youth Mission, he alongwith his
in 1968, and earned his Master’s in the
wife served in pioneer mission fields also.
Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai
They have travelled worldwide encourag-
in 1970. After teaching for a while in the
Regional Engineering College, Tiruchy, ing God’s people in Conventions and Con-
Tamilnadu, he worked as a Hospital ferences. Their books have been translated
Engineer in the Christian Medical College, to over 10 Indian languages. In apprecia-
founded by Dr. Ida Scudder in Vellore, tion of his significant contribution to the
till 1975. Body of Christ, the Hindustan Bible Insti-
tute, Chennai, conferred on him the hon-
The students ministry Brother Stanley orary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 2000.
started in 1963 grew into a nationwide
revival cum missinonary evangelistic Stanley underwent an open heart sur-
organisation known as Blessing Youth gery in 1996 but enjoys good health now.
Mission in 1971. It now works in 13 After retiring from Blessing Youth Mission
States of India through over 300 fulltime as a staff in 2003, he now spends more
staff and hundreds of youth outreach teams.
time in studying and writing than in preach-
Brother Stanley’s wife, Dr. Lilian, is a
ing. He often thanks God for enabling
medical missionary working among the
poorest of the poor. Their only child and him to pour out the best part and the
daughter, Evangeline, is a professional most youthful years of his life in the
Christian Counsellor working as a Psy- cause of the Kingdom. His most favourite
chologist with her technician husband in Bible text is 1 Corinthians 15:10, “I am
CMC, Vellore. what I am by the grace of God!”
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Contents

PA TIEN
PATIEN CE
TIENCE 1. Patience makes the Man! ... 7
2. Love is Patient! ... 12
MAKES 3. When will I ever Change? ... 39
THE MAN! 4. Waiting on God ... 59
5. How much time for the Bible? ... 75
6. Patience of Jesus ... 95
7. What to Speak when you Suffer ...107
8. Preachers & Patience ...119

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B The young widow Ruth won the heart
of Boaz because she waited patiently accord-
ing to her mother-in-law’s instructions.
B King Saul lost his crown and anoint-
ing because of impatience.
1 B David did not scheme but waited
Patience makes the Man! patiently for his time and God made him
the most celebrated King of Israel.
B Elisha patiently served Prophet Elijah
and received the mantle of double anoint-
ing.
B Nehemiah patiently continued his work

M AN lost Paradise because of impa-


tience. It is the patience of God that
keeps giving man opportunities again and
in spite of threats and discouragements,
and completed the rebuilding of the walls
of Jerusalem for the glory of God and the
again to come back to Him and restore
good of His people.
whatever he lost.
B The patient trust and confidence of
No other religious literature teaches Mordecai on the God of Salvation brought
and illustrates patience as the Bible does. joy and honour to the Jews.
It highlights the rewards of patience and B Who does not know of the patience of
remorse of impatience— Job? (See Chapter 7).
B The Book of Psalms is a treatise on
B Patriarch Abraham complicated mat-
ters and delayed the fulfilment of God’s waiting on God.
promises because of his impatience. B The Book of Proverbs warns against
B Moses’ impatience cost him entry quick riches and shortcuts to promotion.
into the Land of Promise. B Daniel’s patience in prayer brought
B Jacob’s shortcuts and schemes were splendid revelations of the endtime.
ultimately to his disadvantage. B Prophet Hosea encourages us to keep
B Joseph’s patience for many long years on seeking the Lord “until” He showers
was rewarded with glorious exaltation. righteousness on us.
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B Because of impatience Prophet Jonah The Blessing Youth Mission had de-
was out of step with the God of patience. clared 2003 as the Year of Patience. I had
B As we come to the New Testament, the privilege of writing the lead articles
the patience of Jesus, as we observe in on this theme for the Mission’s monthly,
the Gospels, is amazing (See Chapter 6). Blessing. Never in my life was my pa-
He was patience personified. No wonder tience tested so much as during this year.
the most beloved disciple called himself Nothing short of a furnace experience
as the “companion of the patience of Jesus” gave birth to the articles on this subject
(Rev 1:9). which are compiled here. I recognised the
blessedness of brokenness more than ever.
B The apostles in their letters and
Several readers of the Blessing magazine
visits exhorted believers to be patient in wrote to me, “ So far you were serving us
tribulation and relationships. They quoted fruit, but this year it’s juice!”
the Old Testament prophets and Job to
illustrate patience in practice (Js 5:10,11). The next Chapter explains how each of
They put patience above all virtues (Js the manifestations of the fruit of love is
1:4). linked to patience. The third Chapter is a
call never to give up the efforts for char-
There will be no Bible history if God acter development. The meaning and the
had not been patient. He never gave up importance of waiting on God are explained
on man. The repentance of every sinner in Chapter four. The fifth Chapter tells us
celebrates the patience of God in the why and how we must spend unhurried
portals of Heaven. time with the Bible. The sixth Chapter
titled, What to speak when you Suffer, is
No other virtue like patience needs so lessons from the confessions of Job during
much patience to cultivate it. When we the dark hours of his life. The patience of
lose patience we lose everything. All the Jesus outlined in Chapter seven is for us
good things we have done can be destroyed to emulate. The last Chapter is for those
by one act of impatience. To be patient is in Christian work. It is unlikely that you
more difficult in these days than in the understand everything in this book in the
yester years. We save lot of time in doing first reading. Read and reread it with
things but waste more time than the pre- patience! You will be convinced that it is
vious generations. patience that makes the man!
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I dedicate this book to the God of
Patience. I thank Him for putting me
with difficult persons and placing me in
tough situations without which I could
not have learnt what I have written here.

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Love is Patient!

T HE famous Love Chapter in the Bible,


even 1 Corinthians 13, lists fifteen
characteristics of love (vv 4-7). Most in-
terestingly the very first manifestation is
patience. “Love is patient!” I believe that
the order of mention in the Scripture is
also inspired by God. Shall we say that
patience is the crown of virtues and the
mark of perfection? (Js 1:4). Somewhere
I read—
Love is...
Slow to suspect - Quick to trust
Slow to condemn - Quick to justify
Slow to offend - Quick to defend
Slow to expose - Quick to shield

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Slow to reprimand - Quick to forbear happiness is to learn to accept the im-
Slow to belittle - Quick to appreciate possible, to do without the indispensable,
Slow to demand - Quick to give and to bear the intolerable. Happiness
Slow to provoke - Quick to help comes when we stop wailing about the
Slow to resent - Quick to forgive troubles we have, and offer thanks for all
the troubles we don’t have! “Weeping may
When we talk about love, the passage go on all night, but joy comes with the
that comes to our mind next to 1 Corinthians morning” (Psa 30:5b). We miss happiness
13 is Galatians 5:22,23 where apostle if we are not patient enough until sun-
Paul lists out the fruit of the Spirit. It is rise. Life is a series of tunnels. No tunnel
called the eightfold manifestation of love. is without an exit. Impatience makes the
Patience is one of them. My recent medi- time between entry and exit miserable.
tation of this passage tells me that each When Christ says, “Let’s go over to the
of the seven expressions of LOVE —Joy, other side,” we will not sink in the middle
Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, (Lk 8:22-25). It is of course natural to be
Gentleness, Self-control—is linked to PA- terrified by the towering waves. But when
TIENCE. In other words, without patience we realize who is with us and what is
we cannot mature and blossom in any of promised, we can be patient to witness
the fruits. This article is a practical study the end. We will not then lose the joy of
of this connection. the Lord.

1. Patience & Joy Folks who are impatient with others


We often think that the absence of not only kill their own joy by irritation
trouble is what happiness in life is. It’s but also that of others. We are to remem-
erroneous. The Bible calls us to “rejoice ber that we are made different from one
in hope, being patient in trouble” (Rom another. If we possess anything extra or
12:12). The shame and suffering Jesus special over others, it is not of our own
experienced could not disturb His joy, but a gift of God. Apostle Paul challenged
because He endured them with patience the boastful Corinthians, “What makes
and hope (Heb 12:2). you better than anyone else? What do you
have that God has not given you? And if
We don’t find happiness by jumping all you have is from God, why boast as
out of difficult situations. The secret of though you have accomplished something
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on your own?” (1 Cor 4:7). The Pharisee Happy homes are built with blocks of
with the better-than-thou attitude returned patience. A husband impatient with his
from the Temple without any joy ! (Lk wife’s cooking kills her enthusiasm. A
18:10-14). wife impatient with her husband’s imper-
fections hinders his growth and develop-
To be able to find joy in another’s joy ment. A parent impatient with the casual-
is the secret of happiness. The first refer- ness of the children spoils their jubilance.
ence to sadness is made in the Bible Children impatient with the parents’ strict-
about the fellow-prisoners of Joseph (Gen ness worries them. It takes patience to
40:6-8). Interestingly it was the Joseph appreciate domestic bliss; volatile spirits
known for patience who cheered them prefer unhappiness. For every minute you
up! We are told that it takes sixtyfour are angry, you lose sixty seconds of
facial muscles to make a frown, but happiness! If there’s tug-of-war at home,
only thirteen to make a smile! Why work let the rope be the love of God!
overtime?
2. Patience & Peace
Paul’s patience in his imprisonment Turbulance is the inevitable lot of
has given us an Epistle of Joy— impatient people. Even among Christian
“Philippians.” He talks about “confidence” believers very few enjoy the peace of God
(1:6,25), “expectation” (1:20), “trust” “like a river.” The Bible promises “per-
(2:19,24), “hope” (2:23), “pressing on” fect” peace to those whose mind is “stayed”
(3:12,14), “waiting” (3:20), “contentment” or fixed steadily on God (Isa 26:3). The
(4:11), and “fullness” (4:18). Precious Hebrew original for “perfect peace” is
patience! Next to Jesus in the New “Peace! Peace!” The condition to enjoy
Testament no one else suffered more than such a peace is patiently “trusting” in
Paul. Yet the rule of his life was “sorrow- the Lord. “Whoever believes will not act
ful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor 6:10). hastily” (Isa 28:16b).
This attitude made others rich and re-
joice! See how he could cheer up the sailors If we are not enjoying peace in our
when their ship was running aground own hearts, we cannot live in real peace
near the Isle of Malta (Acts 27:21-26, with others. Social conflicts are invariably
33-37). Impatience of leaders discour- the result of unresolved inner conflicts in
ages the followers. man. Being patient with God’s dealings
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with us is the only way to maintain peace with us only. The Bible tells us, “When
and keep agitation away. God is not obliged the ways of people please the Lord, He
to give us explanations, nor can we un- makes even their enemies live at peace
derstand them if He gives. Whether it is with them” (Prov 16:7).
prayers, puzzles, pain or problems, God’s
answer more often than we think is, “Wait!” Peace is rare because it is difficult and
The peace of God “surpasses all under- the process is time-consuming. A statis-
standing” (Phil 4:7). Which means, we tics says, “Less than 8% of the time
can enjoy the peace of God in spite of since the beginning of recorded time has
problems. Staying put and being patient the world been entirely at peace. In a
is the secret. total of 3530 years, only 286 have been
warless. 8000 treaties have been broken
Even after celebrating Christmas for in this time.” However the Lord Almighty
generations we are yet to understand its has promised, “All the nations will beat
full message. “Glory to God in the high- their swords into plowshares and their
est!” — This is only one half of the mes- spears into pruning hooks... Everyone will
sage. The other side of the coin is, “And live quietly in their own homes in peace
on earth peace, good will toward men!” and prosperity” (Mic 4:3,4). The destruc-
(Lk 2:14). Making peace with God can be tive weapons will be converted into con-
done in an instant. Enemies of God can structive tools. Battlefields will become
become His children the next moment. harvest fields. We as God’s people are to
Not so with our horizontal relationships. be coworkers with God in this ministry of
Building relationships with people and reconciling man with man.
maintaining them means time and labour.
Reconciliation with people is not a miracle Peacemaking is not to start at national
like reconciliation with God. It involves and international levels. It must begin in
self-denial and patience with others. We the family, the Church and the communi-
are admonished, “Do your part to live in ties. Peacebreakers outnumber peacemakers.
peace with everyone, as much as possible” God detests anyone “who sows discord
(Rom 12:18). In the pretext of this Bible among brothers” (Prov 6:19b). A distin-
verse we write off certain individuals too guished mark of a child of God is that he
soon. We say they are impossible to live would be a peacemaker (Mt 5:9). Number
with. But most often the problem lies one reason for murders, splits and divorces
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is impatience. Let’s make the prayer of is that we begin with prayer and end
St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) our daily with benediction! Patient listening is the
plea before God— secret of peace in planning meetings.
After all, we know what we want to say;
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace!
on the other hand, we don’t know what
Where there’s hatred...let me sow love.
the other person is going to say! Apostle
Where there’s injury...pardon.
James in his practical wisdom wrote, “My
Where there’s doubt...faith.
dear brothers and sisters, be quick to
Where there’s despair...hope.
listen, slow to speak, and slow to get
Where there’s darkness...light.
angry. Your anger can never make things
Where there’s sadness...joy.
right in God’s sight” (Js 1:19,20). James
O Divine Master,
must have learnt it from King Solomon
Grant that I may not so much seek
who penned centuries ago from his adminis-
To be consoled...as to console,
trative experience, “Avoiding a fight is
To be understood...as to understand,
a mark of honour!” (Prov 20:3).
To be loved...as to love.
For,
There are of course born-fighters. They
It’s in giving...that we receive,
do not know the “way of peace” (Rom
It’s in pardoning...that we are pardoned,
3:17). They can’t sleep unless they provoke
It’s in dying...that we are born to eternal life.
someone. To be victorious in such trying
situations is to follow the Jesus’ method
God has called us Christians to be salt
of staying silent without speaking a word
and light, but we have lost our saltiness
(Mt 27:12-14).
and brightness. Churches and Christian
organisations have become the breeding
3. Patience & Kindness
ponds of hatred, rivalry and disunity. There’s
no scarcity for leadership training and The very next thing Paul says after
management seminars. But “wherever there “Love is Patient” is “Love is Kind!” (1
is jealousy and selfish ambition, there Cor 13:4a). Also in the list of the marks
you will find confusion and every kind of of God’s servants, he mentions “kindness”
evil” (Js 3:16). Peace will be absent if immediately after “patience” (2 Cor 6:6).
there is no “willingness to yield” (v 17). So also in the list of the fruits of the
Christian committee meetings are no Spirit, “kindness” follows “patience” (Gal
better than pandemoniac Assembly and 5:22). Kindness is a language that the
Parliament sessions. The only difference dumb can speak and the deaf can hear

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and understand. Some folks are super- There can be hundred-and-one reasons
naturally endowed, like Mother Teresa why we need not shower kindness on
(1910-1997), with the gift of “showing certain individuals. But Joseph of the Old
mercy with cheerfulness” (Rom 12:8d). Testament and Joseph of the New Testa-
For most of us, kindness is a virtue that ment stand before us to shout into our
has to be cultivated. H.W. Longfellow (1807- ears that it is never right to be unkind to
1882), an American poet, put it this way— anyone. What was the need for Joseph to
Kind hearts are the gardens, be so kind to his brothers for all that they
Kind thoughts are the roots, had done to him? (Gen 50:21). Why did
Kind words are the flowers, the next Joseph hesitate to publicly dis-
Kind deeds are the fruits. grace his pregnant fiancee? (Mt 1:19).
The law was after all on his side (Dt
That’s why we read that Jesus “grew” in 24:1). These were men who had experi-
favour with men (Lk 2:52). enced God’s kindness in their own lives.
That was the more-than-enough reason
Kindness is such an important virtue for them to be kind to the undeserving.
that John the Baptist equated the “fruits The story of the unkind debtor Jesus
of repentance” to acts of kindness. He narrated shames us and warns us sternly.
told the people, “Be kind to the have-
When the debtor pleaded with the King,
nots!” To the tax-collectors he said, “Don’t
“Be patient with me,” his debt of millions
overload the tax-payers!” He admonished
of dollars was instantly forgiven out of
the soldiers, “Don’t chargesheet anyone
falsely!” (Lk 3:8-14). The greatest thing a kindness. But he grabbed the throat of
man can do for his Heavenly Father is to his fellow-servant who had owed him just
be kind to His children! Jesus has taught a few thousand dollars, eventhough he
us, “You must be compassionate, just as also pleaded, “Be patient with me!” The
your Father is compassionate” (Lk 6:36). story ends with the moral, “Should we
The problem with us is that we tend to be not be merciful to others as God is to
kind only to those who are kind to us. us?” (Mt 18:21-35). Apostle James put it
But as for God, He is “kind to the unthankful bluntly: “There will be no mercy for you
and to those who are wicked” (v 35b). We if you have not been merciful to others.
must be kind to the unkind people; they But if you have been merciful, then God’s
need it the most! This is where patience mercy toward you will win out over His
is challenged. judgment against you” (Js 2:13).
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Being too busy to be kind is both un- kind!” Acts of kindness are not to be
healthy and unchristian. We speak so much braodcasted (Mt 6:1-4). He who has con-
about the Good Samaritan but walk with ferred kindness should be silent; he who
the shoes of the Priest and the Levite! (Lk has received one should speak of it.
10:30-35). I guess the Priest was hurry-
ing to the Temple to offer sacrifices, and Kindness begets kindness, but be pa-
the Levite was following him to count the tient if your kindness is not positively
offerings! We are too busy if we are too reciprocated. Pray for a short memory as
busy to be kind! It is terrifying to realize to all unkindness. Someone said, “Two
that our acts of kindness will decide our things stand like stone: Kindness in
eternal destiny (Mt 25:34-46). I read on a another’s troubles; Courage in one’s own!”
bumper sticker, “Beware the barrenness Our disappointments are due to over-
of busyness!” We are not to deny kind- expectations. Blessed is he who expects
ness even to strangers (Lev 19:33,34). nothing; for he shall not be disappointed!
Hospitality is included here (Heb 13:2). Gilbert Chesterton encourages kind folks
Abraham never realized he was enter- saying, “The man who expects nothing
taining angels when he was showing kind- sees redder roses than common men can
ness to three strangers (Gen 18:1-8). see, and greener grass, and a more star-
Satan does not appear in black or angels tling sun!” Kindness is like snow; it makes
in white, to our naked eyes! everything it covers beautiful.

Speaking kindly is an art to be learnt. 4. Patience & Goodness


Everyone in this world is hurting. Kind I consider Genesis 6:5 the saddest state-
words are like medicine. If someone were ment in the entire Scripture: “The Lord
to pay you Rs. 10/- for every kind word observed the extent of the people’s wick-
you ever spoke and collect Rs. 5/- for edness, and He saw that all their thoughts
every unkind word, would you be rich or were consistently and totally evil.” David
poor? Speak kind words and you will lamented centuries later : “All have turned
hear kind echoes! The person who sows away from God; all have become corrupt.
seeds of kindness enjoys a perpetual No one does good, not even one!” (Psa
harvest. There’s a Malayan Proverb: “One 14:3). His son Solomon echoed, “There is
can pay back the loan of gold, but one not a single person in all the earth who is
dies forever in debt to those who are always good and never sins” (Eccl 7:20).
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Apostle Paul summarised these Old Testa- all those who do good may not be good
ment statements in his Epistle to the people. This was the logic of Jesus in the
Roman Christians, “No one is good— not Sermon on the Mount: “A good tree pro-
even one... For all have sinned!” (Rom duces good fruit, and a bad tree produces
3:10,23). bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad
fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good
This is the picture of the unregenerate fruit” (Mt 7:17,18). Goodness is a fruit of
man. At spiritual rebirth, God puts His walking with God. God’s goodness is the
Spirit into us to indwell. The residential root of all goodness. Psalmist David con-
ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of fessed to God, “You are my Master! My
every child of God is to transform him goodness is nothing apart from You” (Psa
and make him like the very Son of God. 16:2). I believe this is the main reason
This of course does not happen overnight. why God testified of David that he was a
That’s why the godly virtues produced in man after His own heart (Acts 13:22b).
our new life are called the “fruit” of the Oftentimes David exclaimed, “O Lord, how
Spirit. Who has heard of instant fruit- great is Your goodness!” (Psa 31:19a).
bearing? Stripping us off our badness
layer by layer and enabling us to express
God’s goodness is associated with His
the goodness of God is the ongoing work
patience. When He passed in front of
of the Holy Spirit from day one of our
Moses He proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord
conversion to Christ. This does not happen
God, ... longsuffering and abounding in
apart from our cooperation. That’s why
goodness” (Ex 34:6). This proclamation
we are called “to put off the old man...
and put on the new man” (Eph 4:22-24). was made when God instructed Moses to
Because this is a long-drawn process, many prepare two stone tablets like the first
have stopped in the middle due to impa- ones (v 1). It is the patience of God that
tience. (The next Chapter deals with this manifests His goodness to us so He may
subject at length.) give us a second chance! Referring to
this nature of God, Paul rebuked the
When we talk about the virtue of good- hardhearted, “Do you despise the riches
ness, there are two aspects—being good, of God’s goodness, tolerance and patience,
and doing good. The first one leads to the not knowing that the goodness of God
other. Good people will do good, although leads you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4).
25 26
It was patience that enabled Jesus to Goodness should not stay as an abstract
do good to people all through His life. He virtue, but be expressed tangibly. Look at
was patient with folks in their slowness these examples of doing good to people:
to understand. That was why He could Helping an aged person; Destroying a
continue to teach them (Lk 24:25-27). He letter written in anger; Offering the
was patient with the unbelief of people. apology that saves a friendship; Stopping
That was why He could continue to heal a scandal that’s wrecking a reputation;
them (Mt 17:17,18). He was patient with Guiding a teenager to find himself; Taking
the thanklessness of the beneficiaries. time to show your mother consideration;
That was why He could continue to bless Accepting the judgment of God on any
the needy (Lk 17:17-19). He was patient question; Etc. There’s no limit to the amount
with the forgetfulness of His disciples. of good a man can do if he doesn’t care
That was why He continued to perform who gets the credit. We need “good” men
miracles for them (Mt 16:9,10). He was like Barnabas who can be patient with
patient with the fearfulness of His asso- unsteady candidates like John Mark (Acts
ciates. That was why He continued to 11:24; 15:37,38). Otherwise the Church
encourage them (Mt 14:24-32). He was would not get strong men like Paul (Acts
11:25,26). Let Diotrepheses be converted
patient with the weakness of His disciples.
into Demetriuses! (3 Jn 9-12). A little girl
That was why He could continue to sup-
prayed, “Dear God, make all bad people
port them (Lk 22:31-34).
good, and all good people nice!” Shall we
all say, “Amen!”
We also cannot be good to people un-
less we are tolerant and patient. John
5. Patience & Faithfulness
Wesley (1703-1791) gives this excellent
piece of advice— The KJV translation of the word “faith”
in Galatians 5:22 is not correct. It is
Do all the good you can, actually “faithfulness.” The modern ver-
By all the means you can, sions render this word correctly.
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can, Nothing in life can take the place of
At all the times you can, faithfulness and dependability. Brilliance,
To all the people you can, genius and competence are all subservient
As long as you can! to the quality of faithfulness. Take for
27 28
example, marriage. Faithfulness plus who lost his patience because of the delay
dutifulness is the ideal. But faithfulness in the return of his master began to mis-
minus dutifulness is better than dutiful- treat his fellow servants and became un-
ness minus faithfulness (Mal 2:13-16). faithful in his responsibilities. He had
God’s basic desire is that we stay faithful his end in the lake of fire (Mt 24:48-51).
wherever He has called us to whatever Only if we are “faithful until death,” we
responsibility. Moses was faithful to God will receive the crown of life (Rev 2:10c).
“as a servant;” Jesus was faithful to Him
“as a Son” (Heb 3:5,6). Whatever task From the very beginning of our Chris-
God assigns to us is not because He has tian walk and work, we must learn to
“found” us faithful but He has “counted” keep our eyes on the final day of rewards
us faithful (1 Tim 1:12). We are to live up and not keep looking for immediate bless-
to it. The five-talented servant earned ings and benefits. This is how we can be
another five. The two-talented servant earned patient amidst all odds and stay faithful
another two. Both of them were called till the end. A lone missionary was preaching
“faithful” and rewarded equally, because in the cold wilds of Alaska. An explorer
each of them was 100% faithful with asked him why he was wasting his life in
what they were entrusted with (Mt 25:19- a dreary place like that? The missionary
23). It is said that the master of these replied, “Results are not my business. I
servants returned to settle accounts with leave the results with God. I must be
them “after a long time” (v19). The patient faithful and do my best for God. Someday
and consistent labour of the servants is results will come!”
obvious.
The Book of Proverbs has a lot to tell
Faithfulness at the beginning of a work us about faithfulness. Faithfulness among
or a course is not difficult. When the friends and colleagues is to conceal un-
initial excitement wanes and the early pleasant matters. Impatience drives us to
enthusiasm waxes, it is not easy to main- reveal secrets (Prov 11:13). Faithfulness
tain faithfulness unless we are patient in communication brings health to the
and committed to consistency. God com- persons involved (13:17). The test of faith-
plained to Ephraim, “Your faithfulness is fulness is whether by what we speak we
like a morning cloud, and like the early refresh people “as snow in the heat of
dew it goes away” (Hos 6:4). The servant summer” (25:13). “A faithful witness does
29 30
not lie” (14:5). We don’t cook up stories ing the repayment of loan; Prompt pay-
or exaggerate matters. The “yes” of a ment of taxes; Cheerful giving to God;
faithful man means “yes,” and his “no” Liberality in charity; Not accepting or
is “no!” He assumes responsibility not giving bribe; and so on. Those in Chris-
only for what information he passes on, tian ministry must be able to testify like
but also for what impression he leaves, Prophet Samuel (1 Sam 12:3-5) and Apsotle
and with what intention. What he speaks Paul (Acts 20:33-35). Matters of dishonesty
is not only true but also the truth. Last- must be restituted as Zacchaeus volun-
ing friendship is the result of unwaver- teered (Lk 19:8).
ing faithfulness. Here’s a challenging
question: “Many will say they are loyal If at any point of time, due to whatever
friends, but who can find one who is reason, we stumble in faithfulness, we
really faithful?” (20:6). Faithful friends should not give up but resist the tempta-
don’t flatter each other (27:5,6). Those tion to quit. The encouraging truth is
who are faithful in business will labour that even if we become unfaithful, God
patiently and tirelessly. They will not remains faithful, because He cannot deny
look for shortcuts for getting rich quick Himself (2 Tim 2:13). The very Name of
(28:20). our Elder Brother is “Faithful!” (Rev 19:11).

Faithfulness in money matters is in- 6. Patience & Gentleness


calculably important in the sight of God. As I am writing these pages, I see one
Because the love of money is the root of of my forty pigeons sitting on the window
all evil, God considers our faithfulness in sill of the room upstairs. It’s white. How
financial dealings as the basic qualifica- gentle and peaceful are its looks! I pray,
tion to assume any spiritual responsibility. “O Dovelike Spirit, take away my rude-
Jesus asks, “If you are unfaithful in worldly ness and roughness, and make me gentle
wealth, who will trust you with the true like You and the lamblike Son of God!”
riches of Heaven?” (Lk 16:11). He con-
cludes, “Unless you are faithful in small Gentleness or meekness and patience
matters, you won’t be faithful in large have often made a couplet in the Scrip-
ones” (v 10). Faithfulness in small things tures (Col 3:12; 1 Tim 6:11). Among the
is the big thing! Faithfulness in money word pictures for “gentleness” in the Bible,
matters means several things: Not delay- two are prominent: One is that of a shep-
31 32
herd “gently leading the mother sheep sin, you who are godly should gently and
with their young” (Isa 40:11c); the other humbly help that person back onto the
is that of a mother “gently feeding and right path” (Gal 6:1). One main reason
caring for her own children” (1 Thess why we must be patient with the faults
2:7b). When we decide to follow Jesus, He of others is that they may have to be
enrolls us in the School of Gentleness. He patient with ours! This is illustrated in
does not teach us from textbooks. As a the example of high priests. Hebrews 5:2,
role model He stands before us beckoning “Because he is human, he is able to deal
us, “Learn from Me, because I am humble gently with the people, though they are
and gentle” (Mt 11:29). When we take ignorant and wayward. For he is subject
our eyes off Him, pride, arrogance, stub- to the same weaknesses they have.” King
bornness, rudeness and the like take posses- David’s failures were unimaginable. God
sion of us. We lose peace, patience and didn’t condone his sins but dealt with
poise. him redemptively. At the end of his life,
he sang to God, “Your gentleness has
Isaac exemplified in gentleness in his made me great!” (2 Sam 22:36b). David
patience with those who quarrelled with had to pay heavily for his sin (Prov 6:29),
him over the wells (Gen 26:15-22). Gentle- but God’s generosity to him is seen in the
ness yields. Later Jesus taught, “If any- choice of Bathsheba, among the wives of
one takes away your shirt, give him your David, to be Solomon’s mother (2 Sam
coat, too!” (Mt 5:40). We wonder how this 12:24), eventhough centuries later Matthew
would be possible. Will not people take wanted to still call her as Uriah’s wife
advantage of us? May be, but that’s how (Mt 1:6). Solomon gratefully remembered
we can find “rest for our souls” (Mt 11:29). his mother often in his Book of Proverbs
Did not David concerning Jesus sing (Prov 4:3; 1:8). Jesus does not break a
prophetically, “I am a worm and not a bruised reed or quench a smoking flax
man?” (Psa 26:6a). (Mt 12:20).

Without a spirit of gentleness we can- A little boy cleaned up his fish tank
not be patient with the faults of others. and let four goldfish in. All of them died
Apostle Paul admonished the Galatian one after the other. He was wondering
Christians, “Dear brothers and sisters, why. An expert discovered the problem.
if another Christian is overcome by some The boy had washed the tank with soap!
33 34
Sometimes in our zeal to clean up the mixed a little mildness with it... he might
lives of others, we unfortunately use “killer have done more good than he did.” The
soaps”—condemnation, criticism, nagging, motto of Christlike leadership is: “Be-
and fits of temper. We think we are doing hold, your King ... lowly!” (Mt 21:5). This
right, but our harsh treatment is more call was given at His first advent. The
than they can bear! same call comes to us on the eve of His
second coming: “Let your gentleness be
Gentleness is indispensable to those in known to all men. The Lord is at hand”
leadership responsibilities. The tempta- (Phil 4:5).
tion to crush the opposers with authority
and power will always be there. Moses 7. Patience & Self-control
was a great leader. Matthew Henry (1662- We are exhorted to “add patience to
1714) comments, “When God’s honour was self-control” (2 Pet 1:6). A 16th Century
affected, as in the case of the golden calf, Bishop used to say, “Self-control is nine-
Moses acted as a lion. When his own tenths of Christianity!” Abraham Lincoln
honour was touched, as in the matter of (1809-1865) observed, “Intemperance is
Aaron and Miriam backbiting him, he one of the greatest—if not the greatest—
was mild as a lamb (Num 12:3).” He did of all evils known to mankind.” Solomon
not react but left the matter to God— warned, “A person without self-control is
“God heard it!” (v 12c). Being their apostle, as defenseless as a city with broken-down
Paul had every right to authoritatively walls” (Prov 25:28). Uncontrolled temper
address the Corinthian Christians when is an ugly fruit of sin. It’s a wolf too
they were opposing him. But he wrote, “I, ferocious for the flesh to tame. Our only
Paul, plead with you with the gentleness hope is to let Christ transform our temper.
and meekness that Christ Himself would Temperance is self-restraint in feelings,
use” (2 Cor 10:1a). words and actions.

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) has made One of the paradoxical commandments


this observation: “John Knox (Scottish in the New Testament is, “Be angry, and
Reformer, 1514-1572) did much, but he do not sin!” (Eph 4:26). I understand the
might perhaps have done more if he had meaning of this passage better from a
a little love. Martin Luther (1483-1546) modern paraphrase of the New Testament:
was a conqueror, but if he had sometimes “If you are angry, be sure that it is not
35 36
out of wounded pride or bad temper. Never and counterattacks are unproductive. David
go to bed angry—don’t give the devil that said, “I am deaf to all their threats. I am
sort of foothold.” Wisdom says, “He who silent before them as one who cannot
is slow to anger is better than the mighty, speak. I choose to hear nothing, and I
and he who rules his spirit than he who make no reply ... I prayed, O Lord my
conquers a city” (Prov 16:32). As a general God, Don’t let my enemies rejoice at my
rule, the angriest person in a controversy downfall” (Psa 38: 13-16). When Shimei
is the one who is wrong! cursed David, one of David’s men wanted
to cut off Shimei’s head. But David re-
Tongue-control is supreme when we talk strained him with the words, “If the Lord
about self-control. “We all make many has told him to curse me, who am I to
mistakes, but those who control their stop him?” (2 Sam 16:5-10).
tongues can also control themselves in
every other way” (Js 3:2). Solomon chal- As we get closer and closer to the end
lenged, “Do you see a man hasty in his of the age, there will be more and more
words? There is more hope for a fool than “slandering without self-control” (2 Tim
for him” (Prov 29:20). Someone prescribed, 3:3b). Let’s resist our impatient and im-
“When angry, count ten before speaking. pulsive desire to root out all evil instantly.
When very angry, count one hundred and We are not capable of doing a perfect job.
then don’t speak!” No matter whether We may mistake wheat for weeds! Wait
you are on the road or in an argument, for the Day! (Mt 13:24-30; 1 Cor 4:5).
when you begin to see red, STOP !
Faultfinding and slander are the worst
plagues the Church of Jesus Christ is
suffering with. We don’t realize—
There’s so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it ill becomes any of us
To find fault with the rest of us!

How we react to slander and abuse


measures how Christian we are! Attacks
37 38
behold, all things have become new!” But
the new disciple soon finds out that atleast
in his case this Scripture is not experi-
enced. He wonders why. He dares not ask
others about it. He struggles within him-
self, sometimes even for years, without
finding a satisfactory explanation. He
worries whether he is the lonely struggler.
If no one gives him a clear teaching on
3 this subject, he settles down for the status
quo and even thinks that such promises
When will I ever change? in the Bible are applicable only to deluxe
editions of Christians. May be, dear reader,
you are in such a condition. The total
change promised in this text seems to be
out of your reach. You are however con-
stantly bothered by the question, When

P ATIENCE is the secret! Doctors need


patience to perform successful surgeries.
Engineers need patience to build complex
will I ever change? This article is an
attempt to answer this question with
whatever Biblical insight I could receive.
structures. Teachers need patience to produce
distinguished scholars. Parents need patience
Am I unable to sin?
to raise responsible children. Scientists need
patience to explore shrouded mysteries. Spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ
Spouses need patience to build harmonious does not make us unable to sin. If sinning
families. Christians need patience to develop becomes an impossibility, there was no
holy character. need for the writers of the New Testa-
ment epistles to call the readers not to
Is it true? entertain anger, jealousy, immorality,
An oft-quoted Bible verse in Christian covetousness and the like. The recipients
discipleship programmes is 2 Corinthians of these letters were actually believers,
5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new called to be saints (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; 2
creation; old things have passed away; Cor 1:1; Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1; etc.) Think of
39 40
the condition of the Corinthian Christians! Onion & garlic
Sinless perfection is not at all promised Change of character is a process. It
during our earthly sojourn. On the other begins with the crisis experience of re-
hand, the Scriptures emphatically state, birth. We must not be slack or passive
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive but be patient. Jesus said, “In your
ourselves,” and “We all stumble in many patience possess your souls” (Lk 21:19).
things” (1 Jn 1:8; Js 3:2a). We must resist the temptation to give up.
It’s always too early to quit. The message
Apostle Paul confessed, “Evil is present of the New Testament is the story of
with me” (Rom 7:21). His Epistle to the Jesus and a call to become like Him. The
Romans was the textbook of Protestant word “patience” and its cognates occur in
Reformation for Martin Luther (1483-1546). this book over 40 times! It was easier for
Luther was ruthlessly opposed for his the Israelites to get out of Egypt than to
preaching of salvation by faith. He told get Egypt out of them! To develop a dis-
his close friends, “I more fear what is taste for the Egyptian onions and garlic
within me than what comes from with- was not easy (Num 11:5). They had to
struggle. So also in Christian life we
out !” Three centuries later John Wesley
don’t grow from babyhood to adulthood
(1703-1791) the Father of Methodism
overnight. Having tasted the mercy of God
penned, “Worst of all my foes, I fear the
and the milk of His Word, we must take
enemy within!” conscious and consistent effort to develop
a dislike for all malice (1 Pet 2:1-3).
What we are given at rebirth is an
obedient heart instead of our stony heart, Who is the winner?
and a new spirit instead of our rebellious In His encounter with Jacob at Peniel,
spirit (Ezek 36:26). God writes His law in God told him, “Your name shall no longer
our minds and hearts. This means that be called Jacob, but Israel” (Gen 32:28).
He enlightens our conscience so we may But the Bible continued to call him Jacob
choose what is pleasing to Him (Jer 31:33). (e.g. Gen 33:1). Our “old nature” is not
This is the blessing of the New Covenant eradicated from us. We have to live with
(Heb 8:8-10). Enablement to walk in holi- our “old man” all our life. No one but
ness does not mean inability to commit Paul was frank and honest enough to
sin. acknowledge this fact: “I know I am rotten
41 42
through and through so far as my old Many Christians are living under “con-
sinful nature is concerned. No matter which demnation” because of repeated failures
way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. in their lives. The Bible asserts, “There
I want to, but I can’t... If I am doing what is no condemnation for those who belong
I don’t want to do, I am not really the one to Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). The Holy Spirit
doing it; the sin within me is doing it” never “condemns” God’s people. He just
(Rom 7:18-20). He found out that victory “convicts” them. Judas Iscariot accepted
over sin is only by “considering” constantly “condemnation” and that led to awful
that we are dead to sin, and giving pref- destruction. On the other hand, Simon
erence to the new man in us to make Peter came under “conviction” which led
choices (Rom 6:11). In this lifelong war- to awesome restoration. Judas betrayed
fare, there need not be but there might be Christ only once whereas Peter denied
occasions when the new man would lose Him thrice! Peter learnt the all-important
to the old man. We must not retreat in lesson that only by patiently trying again
discouragement. It is concerning the “righ- and again one can grow in godliness.
teous” it is said, “They may trip seven This he wrote in his second Epistle (2 Pet
times, but each time they will rise again” 1:6). He listed seven virtues for growing
(Prov 24:16). in fruitfulness and increasing in effective-
ness in Christian life. Patience is men-
Peter & Judas tioned fourth as the central one! Patience
is to be added to the first three, and the
I am afraid that this teaching might
last three to patience! (vv 5-8).
be misunderstood. Apostle Paul who boldly
expounded this subject had the same
Potter’s clay
apprehension. He made a daring state-
ment, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded Because God is patient towards us,
much more!” (Rom 5:20b). Suddenly he especially in our failures, we must perse-
realized that he might be grossly misun- vere in our efforts to live holy. It is the
derstood. Therefore he asked and answered goodness of God, even His tolerance and
a corrective question: “Shall we continue patience, that motivates us to keep on
in sin that grace may abound? Certainly repenting (Rom 2:4). We fear God because
not!” (Rom 6:1,2a). Here is no suggestion He abundantly forgives (Psa 130:4). Christ
to excuse sin, but this is a persuasion to is tirelessly interceding for us from the
embrace and exalt grace. right hand of His Father and that’s why
43 44
we must resist temptation to sin (1 Jn 2:1). are sincere enough to follow its simple
God is the Potter and we are the clay. We guidelines, we will experience a daily trans-
are still in the making. He has not formation in our lives. It was in the con-
finished with us yet. When God Himself text of fruitbearing Jesus encouraged His
is so patient with us in shaping our disciples saying, “You are already clean
character, how can we become impatient because of the WORD which I have spoken
with ourselves and quit trying? Patience to you” (Jn 15:1-3).
strengthens the spirit, sweetens the
temper, stifles anger and subdues pride. Axe at the root
Outward decorations don’t take long or
Watering & weeding
last long. We are not Christmas trees
Gifts of the Holy Spirit are “received” with stars and lights! We are called to
whereas His fruits are to be “cultivated.” bring forth real and abiding fruit. This is
It is by the fruit of the Spirit we over- not possible without taking care of the
come the desires of our sinful nature (Gal root. “If the roots of the tree are holy, the
5:19-23). There’s no magic seed which branches will be, too” (Rom 11:16b). Our
grows and yields fruit in one day! Who hearts are the root. Vices originate in the
has heard of an instant harvest? We are heart (Mt 15:19). That’s why we are ad-
not mushrooms but trees planted by God! monished to keep a constant vigil over
Impatience in agriculture is detrimental. the heart (Prov 4:23). For every failure in
Hybrid varieties are manmade and they life, there is a root cause. Healing and
are inferior to what is supernaturally restoration do not come unless “the axe
natural. Our life is like a garden. Each is laid at the root !” The process may be
virtue is represented by a tree. Tending slow and painful, but this is how we can
the garden requires lot of patience. Regular bring about a change in character. Ac-
and unhurried meditation of the Bible is cording to the Bible, the love of money is
like weeding and watering. We shall be at the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim
“like trees planted along the riverbank, 6:10a). Unless this monster is dealt with,
bearing fruit each season without fail” it will show its ugly head in so many
(Psa 1:2,3). The Bible tells us what we areas of our life. The true sign of Pente-
are and what we ought to be. Its truths cost is the loosening of grip on gold (Acts
are deep but not complicated. If only we 2:1,44,45). Very few acquire this blessed-

45 46
ness overnight. Scales from our eyes fall once rebuked the Pharisees, “You brood
off one by one, and then we begin to see of snakes! How could evil men like you
the vanity of riches. speak what is good and right?” (Mt 12:34).
These analogies speak simply of the extent
Little foxes of ungodliness and the futility of mere
Character development begins with small human efforts to change hearts. Other-
things. Excusing ourselves in minor of- wise how can God hold a person respon-
fences usually leads to major transgres- sible for his behaviour which is not his
sions. Jesus taught, “He who is faithful by choice but his by just inheritance?
in what is least is faithful also in much” There was a proverb in the land of Israel:
(Lk 16:10a). Backsliding or deterioration “The parents have eaten sour grapes, but
is usually in stages. Psalmist David has their children’s mouths pucker at the taste!”
drawn it as a graph for us in Psalm But God commanded that this proverb be
19:12,13. First it’s just “errors,” then quoted no longer. He said, “This is My
“secret faults,” then “deliberate sins,” and rule: The person who sins will be the one
finally “great transgression!” That’s why who dies!” (Ezek 18:1-4). Of course children
the call: “Quick! Catch all the LITTLE do what they observe their parents do.
foxes before they ruin the vineyard, for
the grapevines are all in blossom” (SS Unlearning any learnt behaviour which
2:15). Judas had the habit of taking coins
is not Biblically sanctioned is the
from the common money bag for his pocket
individual’s responsibility. That’s why at
expenses (Jn 12:6). We know where it
rebirth we are transplanted with a soft
finally led him to. Character is simply
habit long continued. heart which is flexible and pliable. Un-
learning no doubt takes longer time, but
Leopard & snakes when we patiently work at it the Holy
Spirit helps us strip off sins which easily
Psychologists differ on whether or not hinder our progress (Heb 12:1). We are to
temperaments and traits are genetic. Con- proceed steadily with patience!
demning the sins of Judah, God asked,
“Can an Ethiopian change the colour of
Friendship & fellowship
his skin? Can a leopard take away its
spots? Neither can you start doing good, Imitation is a human instinct. “Bad
for you always do evil!” (Jer 13:23). Jesus company corrupts good character” (1 Cor
47 48
15:33). If we associate with the humble, Follow or flee?
we will imbibe the spirit of humility (Rom
If you are weak in a particular area,
12:16). Fellowship with saintly Christians
fellowshipping with someone strong in it
will deepen our love for holiness (2 Tim
will strengthen you (Rom 15:1). This is
2:22). Company of those who have a grip
why we are put into the Body of Christ.
on grace will make us graceful in our
Reading of biographies and autobiogra-
dealings with people. Even a brief stay
phies of saints and soldiers of the Cross
with missionaries in remote places will
is a highly profitable exercise for
drive away from us murmuring of all
behavioural change and character devel-
sorts. Working with the poorest of the
opment. The devil will whisper in our
poor fills us with a spirit of gratitude and
ears the bad examples in the Bible so we
thankfulness for God’s manifold bless-
may justify certain wrongs in our lives.
ings in our lives (Dan 4:27).
To this we must not give room. Our fallen
nature will be quick to take refuge under
God purposely puts together two indi-
the ungodly acts of godly men and women.
viduals of diametrically opposite tempera-
The failures of saints recorded in the Bible
ments, as spouses or hostel roommates or
are simply to warn us against pitfalls.
collegues, to shape one another. King
We must not lie like Abraham, lose temper
Solomon wrote in his wisdom, “As iron
like Moses, lust like David, or fight like
sharpens iron, so one man sharpens
Paul with coworkers over small matters!
another ” (Prov 27:17). It may be a tor-
Bishop J.C . Ryle ( 1816 - 1900 ) observed,
turous and excruciating experience. But
“There’s no sin so great that a great
if we separate “what God has joined to-
saint may not fall into it; and there’s no
gether,” He will employ even more rig-
saint so great that he may not fall into a
orous methods to transform our charac-
great sin!” Therefore, beloved, watch out!
ter. I wonder whether the deplored death
of the 29 year old Iranian conjoined twin
Lamp of God
sisters, Ladan and Laleh Bijani, in a clini-
cally successful 52 hour surgery on 8th Conscience is a matchless gift from
July 2003 in Singapore to get their heads God. It is His lamp to search all the inner
separated from each other, does not have depths of our hearts (Prov 20:27). It is
a message to a world which seeks over- sometimes called the “spirit of man” (1 Cor
independence! 2:11a). A sharp conscience is an inesti-
49 50
mable asset for character building. The and explanations right now (v 11). We
conscience must be trained to love what’s reject God’s voice of silence and turn to
right with perfect love and hate what’s wrong sources. The result is further com-
wrong with perfect hatred. It’s easier to plications. Impatience with the dealings
love good than to hate evil. If we choose of God wastes our time and energy. A
the easier one and ignore the other, we minor sprain becomes a major disloca-
will become popular with men but won’t tion (v13b). But “perseverance produces
please God. If we love good and hate evil character” (Rom 5:3,4).
equally, we will earn the smile of God as
well as the sneer of the devil (Heb 1:9). In the beginning of Christian life we
Only when we keep our conscience clear, may only “hear” about the holiness of
we will not mix up black and white. “Woe God. After walking through fires of test-
to those who say that evil is good and ing we will actually “see” His holiness.
good is evil; that dark is light and light Our repentance will be deepened. It’s no
is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is more prayers of repentance at the altar,
bitter” (Isa 5:20). Anselm (1033- 1109) an but tears of repentance in ashes! This
Archbishop of Canterbury was able to was Job’s experience (Job 42:5,6). The
testify, “If hell were on one side and sin Bible calls us to follow the “patience of
on the other, I would rather leap into hell Job” (Js 5:11). We must study all our
than willingly sin against my God!” Such lifetime in the School of Suffering and
strength in character is gained by College of Chastisement. God has used
perseveringly training up the conscience sicknesses to break the lifestyle of many
(Acts 23:1; 24:16). an arrogant man and woman. Following
a bitter experience with a killer disease,
A Degree in Patience King Hezekiah decided, “I will walk humbly
all my years because of this anguish of
God sends difficulties and disappoint- my soul” (Isa 38:15b).
ments, and allows defeats and diseases in
our lives to serve as a rod of correction. WWJD
His punishments are not just an expres-
sion of anger. He has the end in view, Any Christian who is serious about chang-
even our transformation (Heb 12:10). Our ing his carnal nature into spiritual-
problem is that we want to have solutions mindedness ought to study the Sermon
51 52
on the Mount diligently (Matthew 5-7). Take time to be holy!
This is the Magna Carta of the Kingdom
Eventhough we learn from our fail-
of God. No better sermon has been ever ures, everytime we yield to temptation
preached to present the Kingdom values. we become weaker and weaker. It is by
This Sermon is the Highway of Holiness. overcoming we grow strong. The first
Its intense practicality is never outdated. preparation to resist temptation is to be
Memorizing this Sermon and frequent watchful in prayer (Mt 26:41). A “willing
meditation of the same will load our minds spirit” that is not strengthened by prayer
with “whatever is true... honourable... right... cannot prevent the “weak flesh” falling
pure... lovely... admirable... excellent and into sin. Two of the seven requests in the
praiseworthy” (Phil 4:8). These virtues Lord’s prayer relate to temptation and
will then manifest in our words and deeds. sin. The first one is to seek forgiveness
Whatever is in our hearts determines for our sins; the next one is to seek strength
what we say or do (Lk 6:45). Jesus lived to overcome sin (Mt 6:12,13). Watchful-
out the Sermon on the Mount to the ness in prayer means carrying the spirit
minutest detail. of prayer throughout the day by being
conscious of the presence of God with us.
I believe that Paul’s thumb rule in any Our sense of sin is in proportion to our
situation was WWJD (What Would Jesus nearness to God (Isa 6:1-5). We must view
Do?). Whenever there was the slightest the sins of omission as seriously as the
deviation he would withdraw himself and sins of commission.
say, “We have not so learned Christ!”
(Eph 4:20). Sermons from the four Gos- In the kind of busy world we live, we
pels these days are mostly on the miracles at times do not become instantly aware of
of Christ rather than His manner of life. our failures. Unhurried time before God
We want to experience His power without in self-examination is a must. This is
emulating His pattern. This explains the what prompted William Longstaff ( 1822-
hollowness in our ministries. Holiness is 1894 ) to compose the hymn—
nothing more or less than Christlikeness. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
The one who occupies himself with the Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
study of the life of Christ is sure to be- By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
come like Him. Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

53 54
This was the only hymn Mr. Longstaff Miracle of miracles
wrote in his life. Is it not enough?
Growth in holiness is comparable to
the construction of a building. “It is
The other side
neither by (our) might nor (our) power,
Most of what we have considered so but by God’s Spirit!” (Zech 4:6). Progress
far speaks of what “we” are to do to in holiness is comparable to a race. “It is
change our nature. We will now turn to not of him who desires, nor of him who
the other side of the coin. Otherwise we runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Rom
will end up with a religion of works. Of 9:16). Ripening in holiness is comparable
the 39 books of the Old Testament the to cultivation. “He who plants is not any-
theme of Holiness is not so bountifully thing, nor he who waters, but God who
dealt with in any book other than the gives the harvest” (1 Cor 3:6). God is
Book of Leviticus. It is from this Book more interested in making us holy than
apostle Peter quoted the curt command- we are in becoming holy! All the three
ment: “Be holy!” (1 Pet 1:16; Lev 19:2). If Persons of the Trinitarian Godhead are
God had stopped just with this command- working together to change us into the
ment, we only will have to perish in guilt image of Jesus the central Person in
and condemnation. How can I in a sinful Godhead. The miracle of miracles happens,
earth with a sinful nature be holy like which is this : God takes an unholy man
God who indwells a sinless Heaven and from an unholy world, makes him holy,
who has not known sin? His expectation puts him back in the unholy world, and
is lofty but not logical! That’s why He keeps him holy!!! Shout, Glory!
sent His Son in flesh and blood to give us
a followable pattern for holiness. If God God cannot lie!
the Father says, “Be holy,” God the Son
would add, “Be holy, AS I am holy!” Here The promises of God are as bright as
again we may argue, “Jesus does not God Himself! His “exceedingly great and
have the sinful Adamic nature like us precious promises” are just to make us
because He was born of the Holy Spirit!” “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet
Here’s where God the Holy Spirit comes 1:4). As I have pointed out several times
with an ultimate solution: “I am the Lord in this article, transformation of character
who makes you holy” (Lev 20:8). Sing is a process which must be patiently worked
Hallelujah! at. Just like mountaineering, oftentimes
55 56
we may slide down but we must keep Therefore, beloved, don’t allow men or
climbing. God is working in us all the Satan to condemn you whether you stand
time. We are “being transformed” into or fall (Rom 8:31-34; 14:4). Keep on keep-
the very likeness of Jesus “from glory to ing on! Faithful is He who has called you
glory” — from one state to the other (2 to be holy; He will also do it! God Himself
Cor 3:18). After listening to me preach on shall sanctify you completely; and your
the theme, Like Jesus, a bank official whole spirit and soul and body will be
with eyes full came running and asked kept blameless at the coming of our Lord
me, “Brother, Do you really think a person Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5:23,24). There-
like me can ever become like Jesus?” I fore, “be patient; take courage; for the
instantly replied, “If an unseemly cater- coming of the Lord is near!” (Js 5:8).
pillar can transform into an attractive
butterfly, you surely can become like Jesus!”
He is now a growing and glowing Chris-
tian because of this faith. With Patriarch
Job let’s keep confessing, “All the days of
my appointed time will I wait, till my
change comes” (Job 14:14).

By standing, all believers in Christ are


already holy before God. The robe of Christ’s
righteousness is on us. However, by state,
we are still filthy and being sanctified.
Our standing and state will become one
and the same when we would meet Christ
face to face. Here’s the assurance for this
anticipation: “Whom God predestined, those
He also called; whom He called, those He
also justified; and whom He justified,
those He also glorified!” (Rom 8:30).
Towards this eternal purpose, all things
in our lives work together for good! (v 28).

57 58
not been so, everyone of us would have
perished long ago. As He is patient with
us, it is only right that He expects us to
be patient in our relationship with Him.
This is what the Bible calls as “Waiting
on God.” So much is preached and pub-
lished on the subjects of prayer, worship
and meditation. But specific teaching on
waiting on God is scarce though this
exercise is quite essential for Christian
4 discipleship and growth. In this article I
Waiting on God have attempted to lead the reader to a
Biblical understanding and experience of
waiting on God.

WHY wait on God?

I N an age of fast food, electronic mail


and instant everything, the art of waiting
on God is disappearing fast. The modern
a) To know God’s mind
According to Apostle Paul, “God has
given us the spirit of a sound mind” and
generation may soon forget the spelling
“we have the mind of Christ” (2 Tim 1:7;
of patience. Even if a preacher may occa-
1 Cor 2:16). This does not imply that
sionally speak on patience, the trend of
the times is such that the congregation whatever we think is according to the
will leave the service with the prayer, mind of God. What is meant here is that
“OK Lord, give us patience, but give it under the New Covenant, God through
right now!” His Spirit puts His laws in our mind and
writes them on our hearts (Heb 8:10). In
The God of the Bible is known for other words, at new birth He gives us the
waiting. He never acts in haste. His very potential ability to understand His mind.
name is the “God of Patience” (Rom 15:5). But the truth always remains that God’s
In all His dealings with man, sinner or thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens
saint, He is patient throughout. If He had are higher than the earth (Isa 55:8,9).
59 60
“The carnal mind is enmity against God” is pictorially illustrated in Psalm 123:2,
(Rom 8:7b). “As the eyes of servants look to the hand
of their masters, and as the eyes of a
Waiting on God is an exercise by which maid to the hand of her mistress, so our
we calm our minds and tune them up to eyes look to the Lord our God.” Nothing
receive signals from Above. An agitated else should interest us if our attention
and turbulent mind cannot recognize God’s before God is to be undivided. To hear the
voice. Psalmist David prayed, “Show me voice from Above, it is necessary we stop
Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. our ears to the voices from around. Direc-
Lead me in Your truth and teach me… On tions for the first missionary movement
you I wait all the day” (Psa 25:4,5). This were received while a team of five prophets-
sounds like a morning prayer. Having cum-teachers was waiting on God with
made such a prayer at dawn, David had fasting and prayer (Acts 13:1-4).
been waiting for the answer all through
We miss God’s will at critical situa-
the day.
tions just because we don’t withdraw our-
selves for a while to wait on Him. We
Rarely does God reveal His mind in-
draw rash conclusions and rush into courses
stantly. His delays are purposeful. He
of action which are totally outside the
knows when our minds are ready to
will of God. The beheading of John the
respond to the revelation of His will. Our Baptist was not an ordinary news to Jesus.
minds get prepared during the time when John was both a family member and a
we wait on Him. We imbibe a spirit of fellow minister to Jesus. “As soon as
reverence when we wait on God. In the Jesus heard the news, He went off by
same Psalm we quoted above, David says, Himself in a boat to a remote area to be
“Who is the man who fears the Lord? He alone” (Mt 14:13). When He heard that
shall teach him in the way He chooses… His friend Lazarus was sick, He waited
The secret of the Lord is with those who a while to know His Father’s mind in
fear Him” (Psa 25:12,14). the matter. The four days of delay paved
way not only to perform a resurrection
Waiting on God to know His mind is miracle but also prepared a pulpit for
comparable to a servant looking to his Jesus to teach precious truths on resur-
master for orders and instructions. This rection (Jn 11).
61 62
When we are at crossroads, and there who has never been hit by the arrows of
are more than one option, waiting on God discouragement. Problems, pressures,
is indispensable. Deciding between good perplexities and pains spare no Chris-
and bad is easier than choosing between tian. No other words of encouragement
good and better. What is apparent may are found so often in the Bible like “Fear
not be the actual. Only God knows which Not !” The only way to live above fear,
is best for us. He alone knows the end worry and depression is to wait on God.
from the beginning (Isa 46:10). We are
concerned about the immediate but He But for the difficult and dreadful terrain
cares for the ultimate. Many a headache the Psalmist walked through, he would
and loss can be avoided if only we take not have given us so many priceless Psalms.
time to wait on God to see how He would The call to wait on God is not so loud and
steer the events. Eliezer made a trip to repetitious in any other book of the Bible.
Mesopotamia to hunt for a bride for Isaac. Take for example Psalm 27:14, “Wait on
When he saw Rebekah who was ex- the Lord; be of good courage and He shall
quisitely beautiful and exceptionally helpful, strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the
he was quite excited. However he “re- Lord!” David confessed that he would have
mained silent so as to know whether the lost heart if he had not waited on God in
Lord had prospered his trip or not” (Gen faith (v13).
24:21). Interestingly, during that time,
the groom was also waiting on God by God alone is omnipotent. We all have
spending time in meditation out in the weaknesses, but in different areas. There’s
fields (v 63). What a lesson for parents no Spiderman in the Church. God has
and youngsters! blessed us with limitations and inabili-
ties so we may walk humbly before Him
Another reason why we must wait on and others. True we have our natural
God is— strengths and skills. When we wait on
God, He anoints them with His Spirit so
b) To strengthen our hearts our accomplishments and activities for
His Kingdom are acceptable to Him. When
Discouragement is the most effective we wait on Him, the spiritual powers
tool in the hands of the devil against the overrule our natural abilities. This is the
children of God. There’s hardly any saint meaning of the famous passage in Isaiah
63 64
40:29-31, “God gives power to the weak, salvation from the Lord... Let them sit
and to those who have no might He alone in silence beneath the Lord’s de-
increases strength. Even the youths shall mands” (Lam 3:1,19,22,23,25, 26,28).
faint and become tired, and the young There’s nothing that strengthens our hearts
men shall utterly fall. But those who like the remembrance of the mercies of
wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; God in reverential silence.
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not grow weary; they The situation we find ourselves in may
shall walk and not faint !” The fear-filled be just “mire and mud.” Yet when we
disciples became spiritual revolutionaries wait on God, He will not only bring us out
when they collectively waited on God for of the horrible pit, but also set our feet on
ten days and received the power of His a rock, stabilize our walk, and stir up our
Spirit (Lk 24:49; Acts 1:5,8,14; 17:6b). hearts to sing! (Psa 40:1-3). This doesn’t
mean we will experience instant deliver-
God chastises those whom He loves. ance always when we wait on God. Rather
No parent who spares the rod loves the the night will shine as the day, and dark-
child sincerely (Heb 10:7-10). During ness as light! (Psa 139:11,12). Our hands
periods of chastisement, our hands be- may be fettered with chains but our hearts
come tired, knees shaky and feet faltering will be given feathers to soar high. That
(vv 12,13). was the experience of Paul and Silas in
the Philippian prison. There’s no way to
Prophet Jeremiah’s testimony is enlight- be triumphant in darkness except by waiting
ening and encouraging: “I am the one on God with trust and confidence. God
who has seen the afflictions that come will send His servants to encourage us at
from the rod of the Lord’s anger… The such times. We must not be disappointed
thought of my suffering and homelessness if their shouts of prayer do not lift us an
is bitter beyond words… The unfailing inch. Here is the Scriptural prescription
love of the Lord never ends! By His for our malady: “Who among you fears
mercies we have been kept from complete the Lord and obeys His servant? If you
destruction. They are new every morn- are (still) walking in darkness, without a
ing… The Lord is good to those who wait ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on
for Him… It is good to wait quietly for your God” (Isa 50:10).
65 66
Just yesterday we would have witnessed is best explained in Isaiah 30:15,16. “The
the power of God spectacularly in fire sovereign Lord says: Only in returning to
from Heaven. Next day we may be sitting Me and waiting for Me will you be saved.
dumped in depression. The only thing we In quietness and confidence is your
desire may be death. There may again be strength. But you would have none of it.
wind, earthquake and fire. Based on our You said, No, we will flee on swift horses...
yesterday’s experience, we may look for But the only swiftness you are going to
God in these elements. But He may not see is the swiftness of your enemies
be there in any of them. This is where chasing you.” God says that He would
patient waiting on the Lord helps. He wait for us even if we would not wait for
will speak through “a still small voice!” Him. What a gracious God He is! (v 18).
(1 Ki 18:38; 19:9-13). Sometimes God’s Elsewhere in the Book of Isaiah we read,
ways are “in the whirlwind and in the “When the enemy comes in like a flood,
storm” (Nah 1:3b). Other times He leads the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a banner
us through ”still waters” (Psa 23:2b). against him” (59:19b).
There’s no stereotype with God. Only those
who habitually wait on Him will not God’s silence and slowness in acting
miss Him. on our behalf when we are under the
severe attack of our enemies may be due
Thirdly, we wait on God— to two reasons. Either God wants to
strengthen us by delaying deliverance or
c) To fight the enemy He wants to sanctify us. It is when we
wait on the Lord we will understand why.
It is only natural to run for shelter and Here’s a classic passage on this subject:
refuge on the face of threat and danger. Isaiah 59:1,2,9,10, ”Listen! The Lord is
It’s a reflex action that’s common to not too weak to save you, and He is not
humankind. But in this era of swift and becoming deaf… Your sins have cut you
lethal weaponry, no place is absolutely off from God… It is because of all this
safe unless God protects us. Because our evil that deliverance is far from us. That’s
times are in His hands and we are in His why God doesn’t punish those who injure
palms, we must learn to relax in any us. No wonder we are in darkness when
situation. The profitability of waiting on we expect light!… Even at brightest noon-
God when we are threatened and hounded time, we fall down as though it were
67 68
dark!” Taking time to sit before God in of wrestling against Satan. It is by staying
self-examination is the only way to expe- under the authority of God, we exercise
rience victory. authority over the enemy. Interestingly
the word “patience” comes from two Greek
There may come times when friends words, meaning “stay under !”
and family folks may turn out to be our
enemies. Prophet Micah tells us what In fighting the enemy, we must be
we should do in such a situation: “Your more conscious of the orders of our Captain
enemies will be right in your our family. than our strengths and experience.
Therefore I will look to the Lord for His Eventhough David was a man of war, he
help. I will wait confidently for God to had the habit of inquiring of the Lord
save me, and my God will certainly hear whether to go against the enemy or not,
me” (Mic 7:5-7). When King Saul sent and how to go about it. In the case of
soldiers to watch David’s house in order Philistines, once the Lord commanded him
to kill him, David sang, “Lord, You are to go, and next time He said, “Don’t go.”
my strength; I wait for You to rescue me; David surrendered his logical and reason-
for You, O God, are my place of safety. In ing powers to the Lord of the Armies and
His unfailing love, my God will come and that was the secret of his victory (2 Sam
help me” (Psa 59:8-10). 5:18-25). Somewhere I have read, “A handful
of patience is worth more than a bucket-
The weapons of our warfare are not ful of brains!”
worldly. They are mighty through God to
knock down the devil’s strongholds. We Having looked at the main reasons WHY
don’t wage war with human plans and we must wait on God, let’s browse the
methods (2 Cor 10:3,4). We sharpen our Bible to learn—
spiritual weapons in prayer and waiting
before God with perseverance (Eph 6:13- HOW to wait on God.
18). The Lord of Hosts is with us. We
stand still and know that He is God! (Psa a) Pour out your heart before God.
46:9-11). In the classic passage of spiritual
warfare, five out of six weapons are for Waiting on God is more than just pray-
defense! (Eph 6:14-17). This explains how ing. In prayer we essentially present our
waiting on God is the most powerful means requests before God and seek His favour
69 70
for an answer. But while waiting on God to occupy vacant and well-swept houses
we simply open up and throw up our- (Lk 11:24-26). We must feed richly on the
selves before the Almighty. It is not an Word of God during seasons of waiting on
exaggeration if I say that waiting on God God. This is what Jesus did during the
begins only after presenting our needs forty days He spent in the desert before
before Him in prayer. Waiting for an He began His public ministry. There must
answer to prayer, especially for guidance, always be an open Bible before us when
is often part of the answer. Here is David we kneel down to wait on God. The time
with his testimony and teaching: “Truly of waiting on God can also be used to
my soul silently waits for God alone; for
ruminate the truths we study during our
my expectation is from Him… Trust in
regular meditations of the Scriptures.
Him at all times, you people; pour out
your heart before Him” (Psa 62:1,5,8).
God had revealed His plan to young
Prayer can be offered in a hurry; but
without taking time we cannot wait on Joseph through dreams. Everything that
God. The posture need not always be kneel- followed in his life was just the opposite.
ing. It can be standing or sitting or walk- The imprisonment in Egypt on false charges
ing or even lying down. It’s a time of of sexual misbehaviour provided for him
uninterrupted communion in our spirit an excellent time to wait on God who
with God. There need not always be a never fails His Word. Joseph had written
specific subject to dwell upon. It is just the vision clearly in his heart. He had
waiting on “God alone” (Psa 62:5a). It is been assured that the vision was yet for
an exercise of all our heart, mind, soul an appointed time; though it delayed, he
and spirit being filled with God Himself. must wait for it; it would surely be ful-
It is fellowship in its purest form. filled (Hab 2:2,3). The divine record says,
“The word of the Lord tested Joseph until
b) Saturate yourself with the Scriptures. the time came for its fulfillment” (Psa
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, 105:19). If we are really waiting on God,
and in His word I do hope” (Psa 130:5). we will not employ fleshly methods to
Waiting on God doesn’t mean passivity or work out things for our promotion. You
keeping our minds blank. This may attract get the chicken by hatching the egg, not
the devil because he keeps roaming about by smashing it open!
71 72
I urge you, dear reader, to read and them with the oil of gladness when they
reread Psalm 37 until its message sinks stood on the pulpits. This is the power of
deep in your soul. During the 40 years of waiting on God.
my walk with God (1963 -2003 ), I have
always experienced calm at the depth of It is dangerous to become too busy to
my heart in spite of roaring waves above find time to wait on God because of the
because I have believed every one of the pressures of ministry and the demands of
40 verses of this Psalm. Here is a sample work. Waiting time is not a wasted time.
passage from this golden Psalm: “Rest in The time spent in waiting to find the will
the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do of God will be saved while carrying it out.
not fret because of him who prospers in Waiting on knees brings us to our journey’s
his way, because of the man who brings end quicker than walking on foot !
wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger,
and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only
causes harm” (vv 7,8).

c) Keep on serving God faithfully.


Waiting on God does not mean we stop
working for Him. Priest Zacharias kept
on serving God till his very old age while
waiting for an answer to his prayer for a
child (Lk 1:5-14). David once lamented, “I
am exhausted from crying for help; my
throat is parched and dry. My eyes are
swollen with weeping, waiting for my
God to help me” (Psa 69:3). Nevertheless
he kept on composing songs for God which
became the Messianic prophecies and
promises, like this Psalm. Servants of
God down through the ages have testified
that they had been soaking their pillows
at nights with tears, but God anointed
73 74
to us in stages—“precept upon precept;
line upon line; here a little, there a little!”
(Isa 28:10). In other words, the Bible was
not written overnight and released in the
early morning as a newspaper. God was
not in haste while writing His book. He
was extremely patient throughout the
production of this unique piece of litera-
ture which would never need be revised
or updated.
5
How much time for the Bible? Daily Bread
I would say that the underlying reason
for our poor understanding of the Scrip-
tures is our impatience. The modern
generation of Christians is more impa-
tient than those of the earlier generations

T O produce one tablespoon of honey,


the little bee makes 4200 trips to
flowers. It makes about 100 trips a day
when it comes to Bible meditation. The
spirit of this age of fast food and junk food
has prevaded us. Preachers and pastors
to the fields, each trip lasting 20 minutes teach God’s people strictly to give atleast
average and 400 flowers! one tenth of their income to God. But
hardly do we hear sermons which persuade
Wow! When my eyes hit this piece of us to spend atleast one twentieth of our
astounding information in a book of illus- time, which is about an hour per day, with
trations, my mind instantly switched on God’s Word. On the other hand we come
to think about the Holy Bible. The Bible across slogans like “Just Five Minutes a
is compared to honey and honeycomb (Psa Day!” in the context of daily devotions.
19:10; 119:103). The Bible was written
over a span of about 1500 years. God Manna, the daily bread with which God
spoke in parts and in different ways (Heb fed His people for forty years in their
1:1). He has revealed His will and ways wilderness journey towards Canaan, is a
75 76
type of the Word of God (Ex 16:14-36). St. Augustine ( AD 354 -430 ) in a letter
This seedlike substance did not come from to his son wrote, “Such is the depth of the
Heaven as food packets thrown from a Christian Scriptures that even if I were
helecopter. It was not a readymade food. attempting to study them and nothing
Folks had to go about and gather it and else from early boyhood to decrepit old
grind it with handmills or pound it in
age, with the utmost leisure, the most
mortars. They had to boil it and make it
unwearied zeal, and talents greater than
into flax cakes (Num 11:7,8). It did take
I have, I would still daily be making
time. If we are serious about receiving
the intended benefit from God’s Word, we progress in discovering their treasures!”
must decide once and for all that we
would spend unhurried quality time with Start early!
it. There are no shortcuts.
The discipline of spending enough time
with the Bible must start from childhood.
Hidden Treasures
The responsibility lies primarily with
Pebbles can be picked up from the banks parents. Paul was a spiritual giant. He
of rivers. But if we look for pearls we had been bestowed with unsurpassed skills
must go for deep sea diving. God has and potentials. His intellectual brilliance
compared His words to “hidden treasures” was unusual. His accomplishments were
(Prov 2:4,5). What is hidden is not readily unparalleled. Can we find a secondline
available on the table to be picked up. leader to walk into his shoes? Paul had
One must extensively and patiently search an eye on young Timothy, but was he not
for it. Bible study is like a treasure hunt.
too timid and too apprehensive to take up
We are called to “search from the Book of
the mantle? (1 Cor 16:10,11; 1 Tim 5:23).
the Lord and read” (Isa 34:16a). Unless
Nevertheless there was an outstanding
we do the searching the Holy Spirit will
not help us (v 16c). Blessed are those who attraction in Timothy. His love for the
make the searching of the Scriptures a Scriptures which was born in his child-
daily practice. This is what made the hood itself, perhaps even before he attained
believers of Berea stand out! (Acts 17:11). the age of accountability to repent of his
They excelled even the Thessalonian Chris- sins and receive Christ as his Saviour (2
tians whom Paul showed as models to Tim 3:14,15). The credit goes to his granny
challenge congregations everywhere. and mummy (2 Tim 1:5).
77 78
Parents & Children easy. The name “Mary” is common in
Christian circles, but mothers like her
Parents spend so much time each day are a rare breed.
with their children, outside the classroom
hours, in coaching and coaxing them to Memorization
study their textbooks. This is fine and
necessary in a world of competition. But Memorizing is so easy in childhood and
how much time are the children made to youthhood. The multiplication tables we
spend with the Bible? We little realize memorize in school stay with us to old
that such a partiality angers God. He age. Childhood memories are like a nail
lamented through Prophet Hosea, “I have on the green tree! John Newton ( 1725 -
written for My people the great things of 1807) was a hymnwriter and an Anglican
My law, but they were considered a strange pastor. He played a leading part in the
thing” (Hos 8:12). In His anger He said, abolition of the slave trade. “Amazing
“Because you have forgotten the law of Grace” is his hymn. Hear his testimony:
your God, I also will forget your children” “My mother stored my memory, which was
(Hos 4:6b). then very retentive, with many valuable
pieces, chapters and portions of Scrip-
I don’t worship Mary but I do hail her! ture, Catechisms, hymns and poems. When
How much she cooperated with God in the Lord at length opened my eyes, I
preparing her Son for His redemptive found great benefit from the recollections
ministry! Think of her efforts in filling of them!” How many children today can
the mind and heart of Boy Jesus with so testify so about their parents? My younger
much of Scriptures that even the teachers brother Christopher and I can certainly
in the Temple were amazed! (Lk 2:46- hail our late mother for it! So will our
48a). She continued to be a Bible tutor for daughter remember my wife for sitting
Him from His twelfth to thirtieth year. with her to teach the Bible.
For a young rural woman, in a carpenter’s
home, with very little academic exposure, I urge youngsters to take advantage of
and amidst so many domestic responsi- the formative years to memorize Scrip-
bilities, spending time with her Son ture passages. You certainly can’t be too
alongwith the other children for the study busy to memorize just one verse a day!
of the Scriptures would not have been What an asset to add over 300 verses
79 80
every year to your memory! You will be Read aloud!
full of joy, wisdom and discretion. Flee-
ing lustful desires and overcoming Satan Family prayertime is either not there
become easy (Psa 119:9,11; 1 Jn 2:14 b). or too short in many a Christian home.
Dr. Billy Graham ( 1918 - ) tells us, “Like Not much can be accomplished in a family
Joseph storing up grain during the years prayer which hardly lasts for thirty
of plenty to be used during the years of minutes. The time can be divided equally
between Bible meditation and prayer. During
famine that lay ahead, may we store up
the restoration ministry of Ezra and
the truths of God’s Word in our hearts as
Nehemiah, the people were reading the
much as possible, so that we are prepared
Scriptures from morning six to twelve
for whatever suffering we are called upon
noon, and then on upto evening six they
to endure!”
were confessing their sins and worship-
ping (Neh 9:3). This is a healthy propor-
It is suggested that the initial tion. The first fifteen minutes in family
memorisation of Bible verses is done in prayer may be allotted for reading and
one’s mother tongue. As a school boy I meditating the Bible. That will make praise
memorized Scripture passages in Tamil. and prayer in the remaining time mean-
It then became easy for me to memorize ingful. The sons and daughters must be
them in English when I entered college encouraged to read portions of the Scrip-
at the age of sixteen. Today I enjoy the tures aloud. Since this is not practiced in
advantage of knowing both English and many homes, most of our young people
Tamil Bibles, and writing devotional don’t know how to follow the punctuation
articles in both the languages. The hours marks in reading aloud. Paul instructed
spent for the memorisation exercise have Timothy, “Give attention to reading” (1
been a lifetime investment. South Indians Tim 4:13). This actually meant public
who hated the Hindi language and failed reading. Jesus was good at it. Folks lis-
in Hindi exams started studying this tened to His reading with rapt attention
language with intense interest in order (Lk 4:16,17,20).
to watch Hindi movies! Everything is
possible if only we have a heart to do it! I did not miss a single service in the
Hours spent with what we like will appear Anglican Church at Nazareth where I grew.
just like minutes! Two elderly gentlemen used to read the
81 82
first and the second Scripture lessons. I knock at the neighbour’s door but dis-
can never forget their majestic voice with appear when the owner opens it !
which they read. This part of the service
was more appealing to me than the rest. Ask questions!
I would read along with them, of course
quietly. This was the training for my The Bible is God’s Word. The message
Scripture reading in pulpit preaching we receive from it is God’s voice. In Greek
today. Several free Churches have dis- the former is called “logos” and the latter
pensed with this practice of reading Bible is “rhema.” Under normal circumstances
lessons. I pity the members, especially the we don’t receive “rhema” instantly. We
youngsters! must dwell on a passage of the Scripture
long enough until the message comes out.
“Dry as a stick!” We must read that passage several times.
Miles Coverdale (1488 -1569 ) was a Bible
The more we read the Bible the more translator. His was the first printed En-
we would like to read it. There will be glish Bible. His version became the basis
times when we may not find Bible read- for King James Version. He has written
ing and meditation interesting. The excite- his own Bible study technique in the pref-
ment may not be there. This is when we ace to his translation, in the 15th Cen-
must be careful. We may be tempted to tury English:
give up the customary practices of Bible
reading until a new desire and enthusiasm It shall greatly helpe ye
springs up. John Bunyan (1628-1688) the to understand the Scripture,
author of Pilgrim’s Progress testified, “I If thou mark
have sometimes seen more in a line of Not only what is spoken or wrytten,
the Bible than I could well tell how to But of whom,
stand under, and yet at another time the And to whom,
whole Bible has been to me as dry as a With what words,
stick!” Such dry spells will be common in At what time,
our interaction with the Scriptures. We Where,
must neither decrease the time nor dis- To what intent,
continue the routine. We don’t know when With what circumstances,
and from which passage God would speak Considering what goeth before
to us. We must not be like little boys who and what followeth.

83 84
How can we find answers to these ten or three years. Choose a plan that suits
questions without spending time? They you and be regular to read the daily
are only fundamental! If the Bible is to portion. Early hours of the day are the
get into us, we must get into it. best because your mind will be fresh
enough to absorb a lot. This is just read-
When we are stingy with the time to ing. Close meditation can be on a few
be spent with the Bible, we tend to be verses from the daily portion or from
choosy with the passages. We read certain elsewhere. When you read through the
portions of the Scriptures again and again Bible again and again, comparing Scrip-
and leave out the rest. The result is that ture with Scripture becomes easy. Thomas
we don’t get “wholesome” food. We miss Watson has interestingly said, “Nothing
the “whole” counsel of God (Acts 20:27). can cut the diamond but the diamond;
The Bible claims that “all” of it is inspired nothing can interpret Scripture but Scrip-
by God (2 Tim 3:16,17). We cannot be- ture!” There are two outstanding benefits
come “complete” and be “thoroughly” of this method of studying the Bible. One,
equipped if we neglect portions of it. On very difficult passages suddenly become
the face of it certain books and passages clear when other passages throw light
may appear disinteresting. But when we on them. Second, we can be saved from
discipline our minds and force ourselves wrong interpretation leading to false doc-
to read and meditate them, we will be trines. False doctrines, like false witnesses,
amazed at what we get out of them. God agree not among themselves!
unrolled a scroll before Prophet Ezekiel.
Its both sides were writings of “lamenta- The unnamed Ethiopian government
tions, mourning and doom.” God asked official had the habit of reading through
him to eat it! When he overcame his hesi- the Scripture even if he didn’t under-
tation and ate it, it tasted “as sweet as stand it. He had picked up the Book of
honey” (Ezek 2:8-3:3). Isaiah for his recent trip to Jerusalem.
See how a brief exposition by Evangelist
Reading & Rereading Philip could bring him to a consummate
understanding of Gospel truth! (Acts
There are several Bible reading calen- 8:26-40). Keep a fine ballpen or pencil,
dars which will take us through the Bible whenever you open the Bible, to underline
from Genesis to Revelation in one or two words, phrases and sentences which have
85 86
a special appeal to you. Because the Bible a King, he went through almost all the
paper is thin, don’t use poor quality ballpens problems and crises we face as average
which bleed and smudge. Leave a ques- citizens. He had his failures, struggles,
tion mark on the margin against a verse questions, puzzles, oppositions, betrayals,
or passage you don’t understand. You will sicknesses, loneliness, and name what.
have the joy of striking out some of them Many of his Psalms were born out of deep
in your next reading! Questions will dis- stirrings of the heart. He verbalised them
appear one by one in subsequent read- as songs of prayer and worship. Everyone
ings. God reveals His truths to us in of the 176 verses of Psalm 119 is a prayer
stages according to our level of under- of praise or confession. Interestingly 171
standing and maturity. Once Jesus told of these verses refer to God’s Word. David
His disciples, “Oh, there is so much more formatted this Psalm in alphabetical order
I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it from “aleph” to “tav”, as from A to Z. Dr.
now!” (Jn 16:12). Growth in Biblical un- Ravi Zacharias writes in his recent book,
derstanding will be in proportion to our Recapture the Wonder (2003), “God’s Word
response to the illumination of the Holy exhausts the very alphabet !”
Spirit (v 13). On another occasion Jesus
said, “You don’t understand now why I Study Aids
am doing it; someday you will” ( Jn 13:7).
Keep a notebook exclusively for jotting If only we know how much time the
down points which make your heart glow. Bible translators take to translate a single
Laziness will prevent you to do this, and portion of the Scripture, we will not
the loss will be heavy. consider Bible meditation an extracur-
ricular activity! What a privilege to have
Bible & Prayer the entire Bible in our mother tongue,
that too in so many versions! There are
The time we spend with the Bible will still over 1000 languages without a single
enliven and enrich our prayertime. The line of the Scripture translated into them.
Bible is a book of prayers. Out of 667 This generation is enviably blessed with
recorded prayers, there are 454 recorded an abundance of Study Bibles and study
answers. We can articulate the very words aids. I could not afford to buy a single
of the Scripture when we lift up our hearts Study Bible during the first eight years
to God in prayer. Even though David was (1962-1970) of my spiritual life as a student
87 88
in the college. Oh, how I prayed for one message. Because of impatience, we jump
with my campus prayer mates! God granted from observation to application, skipping
the desire of my heart in 1970 when my the essential step of interpretation. Inter-
father-in-law presented me a Dake’s pretation is time-consuming. If we hurry
Annotated Reference Bible when I got through this middle step, we usually end
engaged to Lilian. It was a 1965 edition up in falsehood and distortion of truth.
and the price was Rs. 161 /- It took Finis We are admonished to “rightly divide the
Jennings Dake (1902-1987) about 100,000 Word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15b). This involves
hours during a span of 43 years to produce patience and hard work (v 15a). You may
this Study Bible. Today I own dozens of not be able to look into study aids everytime
Study Bibles. I handle them with reverence you read the Bible. But you must atleast
because as a Bible teacher I can under- take advantage of the cross references
stand what it would take for the authors given in the central column or at the foot
of Study Bibles to complete such works. of verses. What’s the use of possessing a
It’s good to buy Study Bibles but do we Reference Bible if you don’t turn to the
set aside time to study them? For most of references? Cross references which connect
us Sunday is the only holiday. If you the Old and the New Testaments are of
attend more than one worship service or inestimable value. Your heart will revel
meeting on Sundays, you will hardly be in finding that the New Testament had
left with any time for the family and been concealed in the Old, and the Old is
personal study. Sunday afternoons after a revealed in the New. Time will fly off in
siesta may be set aside for rigorous study this exultation!
of the Scriptures through study aids. Try
and see! Which Translation?

There are three steps in Bible study. New versions of the Bible are a stupen-
(1) Observation: What does this passage dous asset to people like us who have not
say? (2) Interpretation: What does this studied Hebrew and Greek. No one trans-
passage mean? (3) Application: How does lation is absolutely perfect or totally faulty.
this passage apply to me? In the step of Each has its strengths and defects. Don’t
observation, we discover the message; in be dominated by sentimentality and get
interpretation, we digest the message; closed to other versions. Take time to
and in application, we demonstrate the read your daily portions in one or two
89 90
other versions. You will be thrilled at Just 71 hours!
the fresh insights and understanding
you receive! Let the King James Version Satan uses our Biblical illiteracy to
addicts who are averse to other transla- his advantage. We are tossed to and fro
tions remember that the KJV is not the by every wind of false doctrine (Eph 4:14).
first version of the English Bible but a Though we possess the Sword of the Spirit,
revision of dozen versions. Several Indian which is the Word of God, we don’t know
vernacular editions of the Bible are also how to wield it against evil powers (Eph
being updated and they are welcome. 6:17). On the face of trials and tribula-
tions we lose our song and joy (Psa 119:92).
Hard to understand Reading and rereading of the Scriptures
is the surest way to keep our faith in tact
The Bible is both “milk” and “meat.”
and overcome temptations (Rom 10:17;
For beginners it is milk, and for the
Psa 119:9,11). “It is written” becomes
grown-ups and the mature it is meat (Heb
effective only when “It is read!” To go for
5:12-14). Chewing of meat takes longer
picnics and attend spiritual meetings we
time than drinking milk. As we grow in
our Christian life, we must allot more apply for leave. Why not go on leave for
and more time for Bible meditation. We three or four days every year exclusively
will come across several Bible difficulties for reading through the Bible from Genesis
and tough questions. Bible Dictionaries to Revelation? The entire Old and New
explain the cultural background against Testaments can be read aloud slowly and
which each book of the Bible was written. with expressions in less than 71 hours!
I read through these Dictionaries from The Church itself can organize such Bible
beginning to end at the rate of one or two Reading Retreats for its members in
pages per day. The entries in Dictionaries gardens, hills and quiet camp centres. I
are of course in alphabetical order, but challenge that the Church then will not
oftentimes I find myself reading just be what it is now! This would accomplish
exactly what is necessary for the Bible in the lives of Christians what million
passage I am meditating at that time! dollar seminars and conferences have
The Holy Spirit is simply anxious to help failed to do!
sincere seekers. Jesus said, “Seek, and
you will find” (Mt 7:7). I understand it as, Three day fasting prayers have become
“Seek until you find!” common. We need them and we can never
91 92
pray too much. However, praying without dous access preachers have to computer-
an equal dose of Biblical intake is the ised Biblical information. The laptop should
shortcut to deception. Many false doctrines not become lecterntop. When there’s no
and questionable practices have had their message to inspire people we resort to
birth during seasons of fasting where theatrical performances and sensational
sufficient time was not spent for Bible practices to impress the audience. Revival-
reading and meditation. The spirit world ist Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) lamented,
is filled with deceptions (1 Tim 4:1; Eph “Too many dead preachers are preaching
6:12). That’s why the Bible clearly teaches too many dead sermons to too many dead
that hearing from God should precede speak- congregations!” The only way to get back
ing to Him (Eccl 5:1,2). Audiotapes of the life in the pulpit is to strip pastors and
entire Bible in English and also ver- preachers off all administrative and finan-
naculars are available. We can play them cial management responsibilities and shut
and read along. This way our reading them inside closets with their Bibles until
style also will be refined. they hear from God! (Acts 6:3,4). Then
will the long-awaited revival come!
Fire in the Pulpit!
Thank God for Bible software that’s
flooding the market. But remember, it
cannot become a substitute for your
personal meditation of the Book on your
knees. The extensiveness of Biblical
knowledge one can acquire through these
software is unimaginable. However, breadth
is not the same as depth. The software
can save us time in gathering facts but
they cannot shorten the time we need to
spend with God’s Word to understand His
mind. Knowledge is not the same as life.
The Tree of Knowledge is not the Tree of
Life. This explains why our pulpits are
still void of message inspite of the tremen-
93 94
60 years, apostle John at the end of his
life declared that he was a “companion in
the PATIENCE of Jesus” (Rev 1:9).

The very name of the Almighty is the


“God of Patience” (Rom 15:5). Though
Christian life is a race, it must be run
with patience (Heb 12:1). According to
Paul, a strong Christian is one who is
patient and longsuffering (Col 1:11). The
6 first three in the list of the fruits of the
Spirit are the outcome of the next six
Patience of Jesus virtues. Patience is the first of the six
(Gal 5:22,23). It is given top priority in
the classic description of Christian love
(1 Cor 13:4). Patience is the perfecting
power of spirituality (Js 1:4).

O NE of the most startling statements


Jesus made to His disciples was, “I
no longer call you servants... Now you
Man lost Paradise because of impa-
tience. This cardinal sin has plagued
every section of the society and is invad-
are My friends” (Jn 15:15). It is unlikely ing every quarter of the Church. More
that the disciples at that time understood patience in the business world would mean
its full implication. What Jesus meant less corruption in transactions. More
was intimate fellowship with Him in life patience in family life would mean less
and death. After Easter and Pentecost the broken homes. More patience in highways
disciples started growing deeper and deeper would mean less patients in hospitals.
in that fellowship through the power of More patience in Christian life would mean
the Holy Spirit. This companionship in less weaklings in the Church. More
spirit with Jesus was expressed in their patience in the Christian work would
lives through various characteristics of mean less carnality in the methods. So
His person. One such character was pa- goes the list. Lengthening our patience is
tience. After walking with Christ for over the best way to shorten our troubles!
95 96
The life of Christ vividly illustrates Paul equates it to the downfall of the
the power of patience. devil. In verses 4 and 5 the apostle speaks
of proving in domestic responsibility, and
1. Patience for Growth in verse 7 he calls for public dignity.
These are neither learnt nor developed
While spiritual birth happens at an overnight.
instant, growth is a process. Born as the
Son of God, Jesus took about 30 years for Our pulpits are downgraded by imma-
His growth (Lk 3:23). He did not begin ture ministers. They defend themselves
His public ministry until then. Luke records quoting Paul who started preaching “im-
that Jesus “grew” in wisdom and stature, mediately” after his conversion (Acts 9:20).
and in favour with God and with men What they forget is the years of rigorous
(2:52)—intellectual, physical, spiritual and training and teaching this Jewish zealot
social growth. had before his highway experience with
Christ. All through his life Paul was com-
The Boy Jesus knew so much even at mitted to his personal growth (Acts 9:22a;
the age of twelve. His wisdom surprised Phil 3:8-14). Even while awaiting execu-
the religious leaders and people. But He tion, he asked for his “books” (2 Tim 4:13).
did not rush into ministry eventhough He
undoubtedly had a sense of urgency. He 2. Patience for Guidance
waited. He refused to be pressurised by
the needs around. This preministerial Patient waiting is often the highest
preparation of Jesus is tacitly overlooked way of doing God’s will. To Jesus the will
by us to our own disadvantage and of the Father was more important than
disaster. His necessary food. He waited patiently
until He knew what the Father had wanted
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul Him to do. He never panicked whatever
stresses that a leader should not be a the situation, but quietly pondered over to
recent convert (1 Tim 3:6). An immature understand what His Father would have
person gets puffed up with pride when he done at that time. He testified, “The Son
is catapulted to positions of authority. He can do nothing of Himself, but what He
crashlands and brings disgrace to him- sees the Father do; for whatever He does,
self and dishonour to the work of God. the Son also does in like manner” (Jn 5:19).
97 98
When they ran out of wine in the but the devil’s timeless trick : “You will
wedding at Cana, Mary rushed to Jesus be like God, knowing...” (Gen 3:5). But
and reported the problem. Jesus coolly God’s method of revelation and guidance
replied, “My hour has not yet come!” (Jn is always “here a little, there a little”
2:3,4). In other words, He had not yet (Isa 28:10). This too is promised only to
heard from His Father what to do and those who take a childlike attitude (v 9;
how. It was when the servants relaxed Psa 131:2).
and waited, Jesus began to give instruc-
tions (vv 5-8). During the waiting time, Many a young person has ruined his or
Jesus perhaps went around to see what her marriage by an impatient choice. Don’t
was all available. He found huge waterpots run ahead of God or lag behind. Learn
and enough water to fill them! Simulta- from Him how to rest. His rest is like
neously He must have received directions “a pleasant summer day” and “a lovely
from Above. What an illustration! autumn morning” (Isa 18:4; Mt 11:28-30).

Our carnal mind desires to know every- 3. Patience for Promotion


thing and that too instantly. When Saul
Paul from the dusty road cried out in The Feast of Tabernacles was near.
amazement, “Lord, what do You want me Jesus’ own brothers urged Him to go to
to do?”, the Lord did not give him a the Feast and work miracles publicly.
blueprint. No package plan! He simply They said, “No one who wants to become
said, “Go into the city, and you will be a public figure acts in secret!” (Jn 7:4).
told what you must do” (Acts 9:6). What Look at His answer: “The right time for
a humiliating answer to that highminded Me has not yet come; for you any time is
scholar! But God shows only one step at a right” (v 6).
time. The first step that God shows us is
sometimes so simple that most of us are Eventhough it was His own brothers
reluctant to take, and therefore miss the who suggested the promotional programme
second step and the entire guidance. to Jesus, He politely turned it down. He
knew that a natural man could not under-
With the restoration of the gifts of the stand the things of God, and the carnal
Spirit, there’s a presumption that one can mind was enmity against God. So many
know everything instantly. This is nothing preachers have missed the perfect will of
99 100
God because of strained comparison and it was a woman caught redhand in adul-
ill advice. How many ministries are tery. The accusers were Bible teachers
corrupted and commercialised because and temple leaders. They demanded a
of the lust for limelight ! verdict from Jesus. But He bent down
and began writing on the ground as though
Jesus knew that promotion would come He did not hear. As the leaders kept on
from Above, not from east or west or questioning Him, He replied, “He who is
south (Psa 75:6,7). It was this firm con- without sin among you, let him throw a
viction that made Him say a resounding stone at her first.” They were convicted
no to a related temptation on the hilltop and left one by one, leaving the woman
(Mt 4:8-10). He taught Himself patience before the One who alone had the right to
to await the Father’s time when every stone her. Jesus then told her, “Neither do
knee would bow before Him acknowledg- I condemn you!” ( Jn 8:1-11).
ing His lordship (Phil 2:9-11).
Jesus did not act on impulse. He calmly
Apostle Peter exhorted young people to analysed the situation. He thought about
humble themselves under the mighty hand the accused and the accusers. He took
of God, that He might exalt them in “due time, writing on the ground. Don’t we
time” (1 Pet 5:6). No man can exalt us to keep scribbling on paper when we just
a place God has not designed for us; nor
don’t know what exactly to do, or how to
can anyone bring us down from where
tackle a situation?
God has placed us. God will vindicate us
for any injustice done to us. The earlier
We are commanded not to judge any-
we learn this truth the better for us. We
thing before the “appointed time” (1 Cor
will be freed from tensions and conflicts.
4:5). Let’s be patient with the faults of
Self-promoting techniques simply place
others; they may have to be patient with
us at the devil’s hands. The end will be
ours! Friends are separated and fellow-
miserable.
ships are broken because of judgmental
mentality. If God is as impatient with us
4. Patience for Discernment
as we are towards others, what will be
The patience of the Carpenter of Nazareth our lot? (Mt 18:21-35). Count seventy times
at odd circumstances was admirable. Now, seven!
101 102
Jesus could have returned long ago to Had Jesus visited Lazarus immediately,
judge this world which is sold out to sin. the miracle would have been one of heal-
But He is delaying because of His un- ing. Now because He delayed, the family
willingness that anyone should perish could have a greater miracle—resurrec-
without enough time for repentance (2 tion! Divine delays are not denials. They
Pet 3:9). Folks are mistaking His patience are meant to develop us and the situation
for slackness, but He does not bother so we may better comprehend His ways.
about people’s opinion. He is concerned
only about their salvation. In the same Praise God for instant healings. But
way, people may call our tolerance as the undeniable fact is that most of the
compromise. But we must always be healings are delayed and gradual. Almost
all the healing miracles of Jesus in the
restorative in our dealings with others,
gospels were instant. But there is no one
as Jesus was to that sinful woman. We
like Jesus who walks in perfect obedience
are called to disciple people, not destroy
and submission to the Father. As such God
them by our haste and hurry. Many times
has not entrusted any other man with
it is the plank in our own eye that blurs such power. Our acceptance or otherwise
the vision against enlightened discern- of this fact does not alter it.
ment (Mt 7:1-5).
Biblical patience is not rooted in
5. Patience for Deliverance fatalism that says everything is out of
control. It is rooted in faith that says
News reached Jesus that His friend
everything is in God’s control (Rom 8:28).
Lazarus was sick. Anyone else would have
There’s no place for faith if we expect
at once hurried to the spot to help his
God to fulfil immediately what He prom-
friend or perform a miracle if he could.
ises. Patient endurance is a condition to
But not Jesus. “He stayed two more days receive what God has promised (Heb 10:36;
in the place where He was” (Jn 11:6). We 6:12). The Book of Psalms abounds with
know it was a purposeful delay, because testimonies of deliverance that David ex-
later He told His disciples, “I am glad for perienced when he waited patiently (Psa
your sakes that I was not there, that you 40:1; 62:1). A German proverb says, Patience
may believe” (v 15). is a bitter plant but it bears sweet fruit!
103 104
6. Patience in Suffering “Indeed we count them blessed who
endure. You have heard of the patience of
The trouble with us today is that we Job and seen the end intended by the Lord
want a 707 flight to the promised land that the Lord is very compassionate and
without walking through the wilderness. merciful” (Js 5:11). “Count it all joy when
Our impatience only learns patience through you fall into various trials, knowing that
the thorn of delay and darkness. the testing of your faith produces patience”
(1:2,3). Patience is the sturdiest of all
Though the entire earthly life of Christ
shock absorbers.
was one of suffering from the cradle to
the Cross, His sufferings intensified in-
Everything worked contrary to what
finitely during the final days. Read through
God had revealed to young Joseph in a
the last chapters of the gospels. His patience
dream. But he waited patiently without
stands out. Peter, who was an eyewitness
of all the mistreatment and suffering his murmuring. He let the Word of God try
Master experienced, wrote later, “When him during the dark years. Finally the
you do good and suffer for it, if you take sun rose on him. He walked majestically
it patiently, this is commendable before from prison to palace (Psa 105:17-22).
God. For to this you were called, because
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an Patience for Patience
example, that you should follow His steps” Of all the virtues, patience must be
(1 Pet 2:20,21). learnt patiently. The moment you decide
to be patient, legions of situations will
How could Jesus be so patient in suf-
arise to try your patience. Don’t give up,
fering? Because, He knew that everything
but imitate Jesus the Master of patience.
in His life had been ordained by His
The ultimate victory of the saints over
Father. And that the Father had a lofty
Satan is through patience (Rev 13:10;
purpose behind all that. And the suffer-
14:12). Be patient, beloved, be patient !
ings were for His own learning and
perfection (Heb 2:10; 5:8). Because He
suffered He succours with sympathetic
understanding those who suffer (Heb
4:15,16). Nothing but this confidence can
keep us patient in suffering.
105 106
in anguish, we speak out what we are not
supposed to. God does not ignore what we
speak in such moments. Rather He takes
a serious view of it. The Book of Job
vividly illustrates this point. What God
said at the end of the story is a sober
truth. He told Eliphaz, “I am angry with
you and with your two friends, for you
have not been right in what you SAID
about Me, as My servant was” (Job 42:7).
7
What to Speak when you Suffer No one other than Jesus suffered
mentally and physically like Job. The Bible
admonishes us to follow the “patience of
Job” (Js 5:10,11). What he spoke when he
suffered is worthy of close meditation.
Based on his words approved and appre-
ciated by the Almighty, I have compiled
B E slow to speak! (Js 1:19). If patience
is the mark of perfection, patience in
words is the crown of a perfect life. Most
here a list of confessions we should make
as we go through the furnace of suffering
of our troubles are due to our careless- and fires of testing.
ness in words. Relationships are damaged
by hasty and harsh words. Fellowship 1. I praise God for everything!
with God is also disturbed by impatient
words. He is angered more by our words “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken
than our deeds. Because, whatever is in away. Praise the Name of the Lord!” (Job
our hearts determines what we say (Mt 1:21b).
12:34).
This is a famous text for funeral ser-
Controlling the tongue when everything vices. We may read it today formally as a
is calm and we are composed is easy, and Bible text. But when the lips of Job gave
it requires no special effort. But when we birth to these words, it was an absolutely
are agitated with anger and agonizing real confession, which sprang from a heart
107 108
of honesty. The losses of Job were by no like praising Him. Keep on praising Him
means ordinary. Death of his cattle, their until you feel like praising Him!
caretakers and his children, all in quick
succession! (Job 1:13-19). To worsen the 2. I accept whatever God allows!
situation, he became sick with an abomin-
“Should we accept only good things
able disease.
from the hand of God and never anything
bad?” (Job 2:10).
Several advocates of positive confes-
sion tell us that Job was right when he
In an Indian Airlines domestic flight I
said, “The Lord gave!” but he was wrong
heard two kids shouting from behind my
when he added, “The Lord has taken away!” seat, “Fly Indian Airlines. No other hostess
They say that it was not the Lord but is so kind!” I soon found out that the air
Satan who took away Job’s blessings. hostess had given them some extra choco-
The fallacy of this interpretation is obvious. lates! Unfortunately the theology of many
In the very next verse of the narrative an average Christian is so childish! God
the Holy Spirit has recorded, “In all of is no more than a Santa Claus for them!
this, Job did not sin by blaming God” How do we justify our belief that only
(v22). The Scripture again says, “In all seemingly good things proceed from God,
this, Job said nothing wrong!” (2:10b). in the light of the following Scriptures?
Job’s understanding was that God was
supreme and sovereign; Satan was simply “Enjoy prosperity while you can. But
His servant! How profound was the theol- when hard times strike, realize that both
ogy of this patriarch! It was this knowl- come from God. That way you will realize
edge that made Job praise God for every- that nothing is certain in this life” (Eccl
thing in every situation. 7:14).

We are taught to “be always thankful, “The Lord God arranged for a leafy
no matter what happens, for this is God’s plant to grow and spread its shade over
will for us who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Jonah’s head... But God also prepared a
Thess 5:18). We may not “feel” like praising worm! The next morning at dawn the
God while we are crushed by pain and worm ate through the stem of the plant,
problems. It doesn’t matter, praise God so that it soon died and withered away”
anyway. Praise God when you don’t feel (Jon 4:6,7).
109 110
“I am the Lord, and there is no other. teach us His ways, will the Heavenly
I am the one who creates the light and Father spoil us by sparing that rod?
makes the darkness. I am the one who
sends good times and bad times. I, the The testimony of Psalmist David is
Lord, am the one who does these things” that of all prophets, patriarchs and people
(Isa 45:7). who walked closely with God in their
generations. He confessed to God, “The
Only when we are thoroughly convinced suffering You sent was good for me, for it
of the sovereignty of God and that noth- taught me to pay attention to Your prin-
ing goes beyond His control and happens ciples... I used to wander off until You
without His permission, we can sing with disciplined me; but now I closely follow
apostle Paul that all things work together Your word” (Psa 119:71,67). Our lips may
for good even if it is calamity or danger not instantly utter such words when
(Rom 8:28,35). This conviction leads us adverse winds blow on us. But if we
to unshakable confidence and we are recollect the outcome of the sufferings of
enabled to “be patient in trouble” (Rom the past, we will stay patient instead of
12:12). Folks may guess and say hundred turning bitter. The unknown author of
and one things about our suffering. But the Epistle to the Hebrews has written
we can assure ourselves by asking, “Who for us these timeless words: “No discipline
does not know that the hand of the Lord is enjoyable while it is happening—it is
has done this?” (Job 12:9). painful! But afterward there will be a
quiet harvest of right living for those
3. I am open to correction! who are trained in this way” (Heb 12:11).

“Teach me, and I will be silent; and We have these days short-term courses
show me how I have erred” (Job 6:24). and distant education as substitutes for
rigorous training and systematic learn-
God has no pleasure in our suffering. ing in classrooms for long years. Substi-
If we sinful people desire that our chil- tutes are invented to save time and enjoy
dren should be happy and healthy, how ease. But as for God, He never changes
much more will our heavenly Father desire and He is not in a hurry. Times are in
so for His children! But if suffering is an His hands. Life’s lessons are not learnt
incomparable means to correct us and overnight. Patience and perseverance are
111 112
inevitable. No wonder the saints of old doesn’t in the strict sense need us; we
called suffering a school! need Him. The right confession would be
what a man like Paul made: “I am not
4. I am unworthy of God’s favour! worthy to be called an apostle... But what-
ever I am now, it is all because God
“What is man that You magnify him, poured out His special FAVOUR on me... I
and that You are concerned about him?” have worked harder than all the other
(Job 7:17). apostles, yet it was not I but God who
was working through me by His GRACE”
Have I not walked in integrity? Why (1 Cor 15:9,10; Eph 3:7,8).
then does God let me suffer like this?
Have I not served Him faithfully all these Job seems to have had a better under-
years? Why then did He allow this calamity standing of God’s grace than we who are
in my life? Have I not been unselfish living in the dispensation of grace. He
and sacrificial in my dealings with people? said, “Who am I, that I should try to
Why then did He permit this loss in my answer God or even reason with Him?
business? Have I not loved Him so dearly Even if I were innocent, I would have no
that I never enjoyed any ungodly pas- defence. I could only plead for MERCY ”
time? Why then does He punish me like (Job 9:14,15). More the thorns in life,
this in displeasure? These questions flood greater the appreciation of God’s grace (2
our minds and fill our mouths when we Cor 12:9).
suffer.
5. I trust God in darkness!
Though these questions may appear
sensible, they are wrong. We need to “God’s great works are too marvellous
correct our thinking. We don’t add any- to understand. He performs miracles without
thing to God by our offerings or service. number. Yet when He comes near, I can-
He is absolutely absolute in Himself and not see Him. When He moves on, I do not
He doesn’t need anything from us (Acts see Him go” (Job 9:10,11).
17:25; Psa 50:7-13). He won’t feel miser-
able or helpless if we desert Him. We It is the “why” and “what” questions
don’t do Him favour by serving Him. Rather which disturb our equillibrium and make
we are fortunate to be called by Him. He us pour out words of impatience while
113 114
suffering. There will be calm in spite of selves to Him, saying, “Father, I entrust
storm if only we know “who” is in control. My spirit into Your hands!” (Mt 27:46; Lk
23:46). Dr. Raymond Edman (1900-1967),
God is light and He is in the light. a longtime President of Wheaton College,
This is only one side of divine revelation. calls this the “discipline of darkness”
Solomon the wise had known the other (Isa 50:10).
side. He once prayed, “O Lord, You have
said that You would live in thick dark- 6. I serve a God worth suffering for!
ness” (1 Ki 8:12). Glittering light and
pompous show will there be where earthly “Though God slay me, I will hope in
kings are seated. It’s different with the Him” ( Job 13:15).
King of kings. “The Lord is King... Clouds
and darkness surround Him” (Psa 97:1,2). “Bless God when He blesses you; but
curse Him when He crushes you!” This
Christian life is comparable to a walk was the philosophy of Mrs. Job (Job 2:8-
from the outer court to the innermost 10). Sadly many Christians are ruled by
sanctuary through the holy place of the this philosophy. We may not actually “curse”
Tabernacle. There is sunlight in the outer God, but what do we do when we don’t
court, candlelight in the inner court, but praise Him? If we follow Jesus only “be-
no light in the innermost court. One has cause of” the blessings we receive from
to walk there only in faith and not by Him, our relationship and religion are
sight or any other sense (2 Cor 5:7). In utilitarian. Following Him “in spite of”
Heavenly Jerusalem also there will be no buffetings and brickbats is true service
lamplight or sunlight, but the Lord Him- and pure worship.
self will be the Light (Rev 22:5). When
we walk in faith, quit asking questions, What the three Hebrew young men spoke
and quiet the turbulent mind, it will be before King Nebuchadnezzar weakened
heaven on earth even if the times would his strategy. They politely but firmly said,
be worst ever. “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
the God whom we serve is able to save us.
In our humanness we may cry out, But even if He does not, Your Majesty
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken can be sure that we will never serve your
Me?” But we should quickly commit our- gods or worship the gold statue you have
115 116
set up!” (Dan 3:17,18). The early disciples What lies beyond death and grave is
had the same spirit. When they were flogged the greatest strengthener of our feeble
for their dauntless witness, they rejoiced hands and weak knees. We have every
that God had counted them worthy to reason to be agitated and lose patience in
suffer dishonour for the Name of Jesus suffering if there is no life after death.
(Acts 5:40,41). How many long hours we sometimes wait
in visa issuing offices to travel overseas!
As we approach the end of endtimes, How much we rejoice when the visa is
finally stamped on our passports! How
our days of adversity seem to outnumber
much more patient should we be today
the days of prosperity. That will be no
for the glory land we would enter tomor-
excuse for our murmuring and complaints.
row! “What we suffer now is nothing
Because, in the very first instance we are
compared to the glory God will give us
called not only to believe on Christ but later” (Rom 8:18).
also to suffer for Him (Phil 1:29). The
New Living Translation renders it as the When we lose patience in any situa-
“privilege of suffering!” An active Chris- tion, virtues leave us one by one, and
tian earns the frown of the devil. The vices lift up their ugly heads. We suddenly
devil will attack him in all areas of his realize that we have spoken detestable
life—physical, mental, spiritual, financial words which are too many to be taken
and social. If Christ died for us, no suf- back. If we are quiet and confident, we
fering of ours will be too much, and no can declare, “God knows the way I take;
sacrifice too great! when He has tried me, I shall come forth
as gold” (Job 23:10).
7. I look forward to the future glory!
I quote Paul (Rom 5:3-5b) in conclu-
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and sion: “We can rejoice when we run into
that He will stand on the earth at last. problems and trials, for we know that
And after my body has decayed, yet in my they are good for us — they help us learn
body I will see God! I will see Him for patience. And patience develops strength
myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own of character in us, and character strengthens
eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” our confident expectation of salvation. And
(Job 19:25-27). this expectation will not disappoint us!”
117 118
The Bible speaks so much about being
patient in suffering. Every Christian goes
through some suffering or other. This
being so, preachers always find them-
selves in a position to exhort “others” to
be patient. Hardly does a preacher realize
that he is the one who is expected to
exercise untiring patience more than anyone
else. In this article, by preachers I mean
anyone in Christian service and leader-
ship whatever be the size of his group or
8 the level of his responsibility.
Preachers & Patience Father & Mother
The Bible uses various word pictures
for those in Christian work. A servant of
God is compared to a nursing mother.
Apostle Paul testified to the Christians in

I F God is not patient with His creation,


no one or nothing can survive. If
parents are not patient with children, no
Thessalonica, “As apostles of Christ... we
were as gentle among you as a mother
feeding and caring for her own children”
child will mature in behaviour. If teachers (1 Thess 2:7). A mother’s patience is like
are not patient with students, no respon- a tube of toothpaste—it’s never quite all
gone! Paul goes on to say, “You know
sible citizen will pass out of classrooms that we treated each of you as a father
and lecture halls. If preachers are not treats his own children” (v 11). He says
patient with people, the purposes of God that he “pleaded” with them, “encouraged”
cannot be fully accomplished on earth. them, and “urged” them to live a God-
Preachers as well as people need patience, pleasing life (v 12). What practical mani-
but the former need it more than the festation of patience!
latter.
Patience of a donkey
When we talk about patience, what None of the five typical ministries listed
comes to our mind instantly is suffering. in Ephesians 4:11 can be fulfilled with-
119 120
out patience. Apostles must go forth with reasonable. When the people of a Samari-
the patience of pioneers. Prophets must tan village rejected the messengers of
wait with the patience of seers. Evange- Christ, two of the top leaders of His team
lists must work with the patience of farmers. asked Him, “Lord, should we order down
Pastors must care with the patience of fire from heaven to burn them up, as
shepherds. Teachers must instruct pupils Elijah did?” (Lk 9:51-54). Jesus rebuked
with the patience of parents. Someone them saying, “You don’t know what
quipped, “A pastor must have the patience manner of spirit you are of ” (v 55b). James
of a donkey, the meekness of a lamb, the and John would have boastfully thought
hide of a rhinoceros, the industry of a about their own instant obedience to
beaver and the strength of an ox.” I wonder Christ’s call and contrasted it with the
how many will opt to become a pastor if poor response of the Samaritans. What
this requirement is placed before them they failed to remember was the rich
when they choose their ministry! Folks Jewish background they had already had!
in the congregation are usually in a frivo- There are still thousands of unconverted
lous hurry. They expect too much for too men and women in our Churches even
little too soon. They want to get to the after listening to thousands of sermons.
promised land without going through the If Jesus must act on the suggestion of
wilderness. Your patience will be tested James and John, all our Churches would
to the core when you work with the impa- be in flames and ashes!
tient. It is said, “After five or ten years
those who are active against us in our Christians or Non-Christians?
church will outnumber those who are
Why then did Jesus tell His disciples
active for us! Be patient !”
to shake off the dust from their feet against
any town or city which rejected their
Let’s look at various types and catego-
message? (Mt 10:14). These were not non-
ries of people that preachers work with to
Jewish villages but villages of Israelites
whom they must show patience—
(vv5,6). We also misquote Paul to justify
our impatience. When those in Corinth
“As Elijah did!”
opposed him, he shook his garments and
Expecting people to believe on Christ said to them, “Your blood be on your own
following the very first sermon is un- heads; I am clean. From now on I will go
121 122
to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6). We forget Ishmaels or Isaacs?
that Paul did not take this step just after
one or two sermons. On the other hand, It’s good to fix targets, but unrealistic
he had “stayed” with a tentmaking couple, goals and rigid targets will crush the
“worked” with them in this trade, and workers in the mission fields. No doubt
preached “every Sabbath” in their syna- the supporters look for attractive reports,
gogue! (vv 3,4). In the same way, it was but the way of the Spirit may be quite
after stretching out His hands to the people different (Eccl 11:5,6). The Great Commision
of Israel “all day long,” God made Him- of Christ is not to christianize the world
but to evangelize it. William Carey (1761-
self manifest to the non-Israelites (Rom
1834) laboured for seven years before the
10:20,21).
first Hindu convert was baptized. In Burma,
Adoniram Judson ( 1788 - 1850 ) toiled for
Sowing & Reaping
seven years before he had one. He wrote
The popular trend in the missiological to England, “Beg the Churches to have
world today is not to waste time with patience!” If evangelistic preachers are
irresponsive peoples but move fast to the not patient, they will fill our pews with
responsive groups. This may sound logical more of Ishmaels than Isaacs. We are
and profitable, but this viewpoint does called to sow faithfully and wait patiently
not fall in line with the consistent teach- so we may reap “at the appropriate time”
ing of the Bible. Did not Jesus say, “One (Gal 6:9). The appropriate time may come
sows, and another reaps?” ( Jn 4:37). May “after many days” (Eccl 11:1).
be God wants one mission group to labour
for long years in a field without visible Who will write for us?
fruits, and He would send there another Among those who decide to serve God
group to reap that for which it did not fulltime, very few choose the ministry of
labour (v 38). Because we run for respon- Bible translation, because it’s a time-
sive groups in India, we have practically consuming job and the results will not
neglected the resistant caste Hindus. When be impressive or spectacular to carnal
Church growth is more rural than urban, eyes. This also explains the reason for
the moral climate of the nation will not the scarcity of Christian writers in India.
be changed. The intelligentsia of the Among the popular preachers very few
society will remain untouched. sit to write. We shun anything that
123 124
requires patient and painstaking labour. gentleness of a mother and a father (1
Apostle Paul might have felt that he had Thess 2:1,2,7,11). This he could do because
been paralysed by imprisonments. But that he never forgot God’s patience towards
was God’s way of making him sit and him before his conversion. Writing to his
write without distractions and itinerancy! trainee Timothy he said, “That is why
O how many Epistles the Church would God had mercy on me, so that Christ
have otherwise lost! The climaxing book Jesus could use me as a prime example
in the New Testament was written by of His great patience with even the worst
John during his banishment to an island! sinners” (1 Tim 1:16). Let no one in the
ministry of the Gospel ever forget this!
Athens & India
Idolatry in India would upset any true Nicodemus of the night
worshipper of the living God. But if we I have seen preachers being unkind
lose patience and prudence, we will shout
and impatient with secret Christians. How
from public pulpits words which will only
on earth can anyone be a “secret ” Christian?
antagonize the non-Christians rather than
—they would ask. Were not Nicodemus and
awaken them to consider the claims of
Joseph of Arimathea “secret ” followers
Christ. The Bible suffers more in the hands
of Christ? Nicodemus is always referred
of its exponents than its opponents. Apostle
Paul was deeply provoked in his spirit to as one who came to Jesus “by night”
when he saw the entire city of Athens (Jn 3:2; 7:50; 19:39). Joseph was called
sold out to idolatry (Acts 17:16). But he “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear
showed dignified restraint when he began of the Jews” (Jn 19:38). But both in life
to speak to the city folks. Read his sermon and death of Jesus these two men were
from verses 22 to 31. He uses the word unusually close to Him! Preachers who
“we” more often than “you!” are patient towards people actually affirm,
“We are not trying to dominate you and
The opposers of the Gospel are not our your faith, but we can work with you to
enemies; they are simply the victims of increase your joy” (2 Cor 1:24).
the Enemy, even Satan. We are called to
bless those who persecute us and to pray Judging others is the easiest thing to
for them (Mt 5:44). It was in a hostile do. I once saw a woman, at the reception
atmosphere Paul showed the patience and counter of a Christian retreat centre, with
125 126
a haircut that made her look like a man. Devil’s trap
I thought why people had kept such ultra-
moderns in a retreat centre where folks Doctrinal deceptions are on the increase.
had been coming for spiritual renewal. The deceived don’t know that they are
Soon I realized that she had lost her deceived. That’s what deception is. What’s
the point then in getting angry with them?
fingers in her right hand due to leprosy,
See how thoughtfully apostle Paul advised
and with one hand she could not manage
Timothy: “The Lord’s servants must not
long hair. I was ashamed of my impa-
quarrel but must be kind to everyone.
tient conclusion.
They must be able to teach effectively
and be patient with difficult people. They
Little by little
should gently teach those who oppose the
New believers are babies just born into truth. Perhaps God will change those
the Kingdom of God. In our enthusiasm people’s hearts, and they will believe the
we must not push them into our perfec- truth. Then they will come to their senses
tion moulds. Neonatal deaths abound in and escape from the Devil’s trap. For
Churches because of the impatience of they have been held captive by him to do
pastors and preachers. People must be whatever he wants” (2 Tim 2:24-26).
given time to grow. The only condition
for water baptism is a sincere faith in the Who is the Prodigal?
heart (Acts 8:36,37). Any addition is not Backsliding is common whereas resto-
Scriptural. There are no “seven” steps to ration is uncommon. Of the many reasons
salvation. There is only one! (Acts 16:30,31). I have observed, one weighty reason is
See how God teaches us: “Line upon line, the impatient remarks and reactions of
line upon line, here a little, there a little” pastors and preachers towards backslid-
(Isa 28:13). He treats us like those “just ers. Under no circumstance should we
weaned from mother’s milk” (v9). So much condemn anyone. The parables of the lost
of fruit of evangelistic labour is lost be- sheep, the lost silver coin and the lost son
cause of insufficient follow-up. Everyone better illustrate restoration from back-
wants to be a planter like Paul, but very sliding than the initial repentance of a
few opt to become a waterman like Apollos. sinner. The lost sheep was once in the
Watering is to be done patiently and fold. The lost silver coin was once in the
consistently (1 Cor 3:6; Js 5:6). forehead. The lost son was once in the
127 128
family. What is highlighted in these three built a strong team for world evangelisation
stories is the patience with which the if He had not been patient with an unstable
losers searched or waited. Pastors have Peter, power-hungry James and John or a
the moral responsibility to find out the doubting Thomas. Even the noblest among
underlying cause of backsliding in each us will succomb to the temptation to lose
case. Remedying the situation will not patience towards one another, unless we
only pave way for the backslider to return are watchful and self-controlled. What-
but also prevent others from going astray. ever may be the reason, Paul’s impatience
in the matter of John Mark cannot be
God loves backsliders. The Old Testa- condoned. His impatience cost him the
ment is filled with the restoration mes- ministerial companionship of a Barnabas
sages of prophets. See how patient He who had been named as the Son of En-
had been and has been with Israel ! In couragement (Acts 4:36; 15:36-40).
fact there is atleast a little backsliding
in each of us. Who among us does main-
Paul & Peter
tain the same glow at all times? Unnoticed
backsliding is more serious than apparent Again, Paul need not have opposed a
backsliding. In the parable of the two senior leader like Peter publicly (Gal 2:11-
sons the younger one backslided outside 14). Peter might have been wrong to play
the home whereas the elder backslided “hypocrisy” as Paul termed it! But Paul
right inside. If the end of a story is more was not right either in speaking against
important than its beginning, the younger him in front of others. Why did then Paul
boy has got in whereas the elder one is circumcise Timothy? (Acts 16:3). Why this
out. Who is the real prodigal, I wonder! appeasement? Why did Paul shave his
Does the elder boy portray unkind and
head? (Acts 21:23-26). If you so want,
impatient church elders?
you can find fault with anyone. Without
making some allowances, coexistence is
Paul & Mark
impossible. In spite of Paul’s stiff attitude,
It is repeatedly said that leadership in Peter was gracious enough to acknowledge
the New Testament is plural. But it is his wisdom (2 Pet 3:15,16). Perhaps this
more a theory than a practice. We are not is why eventhough Christ made Paul the
able to tolerate differences and be patient Kingdom builder, He gave the keys to
with imperfections. Jesus could not have Peter!
129 130
When you are criticized... John Wesley ( 1703 - 1791 ) the Father of
Methodism used to receive such a con-
Hardly any preacher escapes false temptible treatment from his wife when-
accusations sometime or other in his ever he returned home after preaching
ministerial career. The devil uses scandal fiery sermons. He took it patiently. His
as a powerful weapon to destroy servants marriage failed but he stayed faithful in
of God. The Lord will ultimately vindicate his calling till the end. William Carey’s
them, but the passage is painful. Joseph wife suffered severe mental depression.
was patient towards a sex scandal. Moses Life was not easy for him. But he was
was patient towards a marriage scandal. steadfast in his work and became the
God permitted Jesus to be crucified on
Father of Modern Missions. However, there’s
false charges. Here’s a thumb rule: “Never
nothing like a husband-wife team in
fear criticism when you are right; never
Christian work. Challenges and problems
ignore criticism when you are wrong!”
will be there, but rewards will be great if
H. W. Longfellow has penned these in-
patience overrules (Eccl 4:9-12).
sightful lines: “If we could only read the
secret history of our enemies, we would
Children are the next patience-testers.
find in each man’s life sorrow and suffer-
According to a recent study, over 75% of
ing enough to disarm all hostility!”
the children of missionaries never want
to choose missionary career. Many pastors’
Prophets without honour
children hate religion though they cannot
No institution teaches us patience like show it out. Every other preacher has
the school of marriage. It is at home a unruly children. Paul wondered how a
preacher’s patience will be tested exhaus- man could take care of God’s Church if he
tively. When he returns home with lots of could not manage his own family well,
enthusiasm and encouragement after a with children who respect and obey him
successful preaching programme, he finds (1 Tim 3:4,5). If this text is to be taken
his family members pouring cold water literally as a qualification for a minister,
on his excitement. He must not get over half of the pastors and preachers
irritated or lose patience, but remember will have to resign. What is implied here
the words of Jesus: “A prophet is honoured is that servants of God must not neglect
everywhere except in his own hometown their families in the pretext of ministerial
and among his own family” (Mt 13:57b). responsibilities. Both family and ministry
131 132
are from God (Prov 18:22; Psa 127:3; Information or inspiration?
Acts 20:24). Don’t sacrifice one for the
other but balance them and work patiently Dr. Billy Graham was once asked how
at each of them against all odds. he would spend his life if he were to start
all over again. He replied, “I’ll preach
Having seen some of the categories of less and study more!” Preachers don’t
people with whom we must be patient as grow because they are no more listeners
servants of God, we will now study the and learners. You need patience to listen
areas where we need to be patient— and to learn. If you prepare sermons
without sitting quietly before God, you
Sermons or Messages? will be dominated more by informations
and imaginations than inspirations. John
Sermon preparation is a work that Newman rightly said, “The false preacher
demands lots of patience. Before it became is one who has to say something; the true
too late the early apostles decided that preacher is one who has something to
they would devote themselves exclusively say!” The preacher who cannot broaden
to the ministry of the Word and prayer. and deepen his sermons usually lengthens
There were of course other necessary things, them. If we are too busy to listen to God,
but they made a choice to spend their He takes us into difficult situations so
time primarily on knees for preparation we are compelled to slow down. Prophet
and then to stand up for the proclamation Jonah learnt more at the bottom of the
of the Word of God (Acts 6:3,4). Very few sea than some preachers learn at a theo-
are the modern preachers who patiently logical seminary. Example: “Salvation is
shut themselves in their prayer closets of the Lord” ( Jon 2:9c).
until they hear from God what they must
speak to people. There are plenty of sermons 40 years
but there’s a scarcity for messages from
God. Preachers are too busy with finan- There is no one who does not like
cial and administrative matters to wait promotion. Because preachers are mostly
on God patiently. Someone said, “Chris- self-employed, they can do whatever they
tianity began in a catacomb with nothing want to be exalted and become popular.
but a message, and ended up in a cathe- Waiting for God’s time has become a for-
dral with nothing but money!” gotten habit. About Moses God testified
133 134
that there was never a prophet like him talents and an overseas degree. But what
before or after him (Dt 34:10-12). It took is essential for leadership is an experience
years for him to come to this place of of walking patiently with God. That’s why
honour. He died at 120. The first 40 years Paul adminished Timothy, “Do not lay
he learnt that he was somebody. The next hands on any one hastily” (1 Tim 5:22a).
40 years convinced him that he was No wonder glory departs congregations
nobody. During the last 40 years he un- and organisations after the days of the
derstood that God was everything. Jesus founders. Preachers must keep Jeremiah
resisted the temptation for quick promo- 45:5 always before them: “Are you seeking
tion whether it came from Satan or his great things for yourself? Don’t do it !”
relatives (Mt 4:8-10; Jn 7:2-6).
Power & Patience
Elisha Vs. Gehazi
Patience is also necessary in the opera-
Promotion comes from God. We are
tion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and
exhorted to humble ourselves under His
manifestation of His power. When we talk
mighty hand that He might exalt us in due
about the marks of an apostle, we imme-
time (1 Pet 5:6). Elisha waited patiently,
diately think of signs, wonders and miracles.
and the mantle of Elijah fell on him. But
This is right, but we forget the setting
Elisha’s servant Gehazi was too anxious.
for these which is patience. See the testi-
He was after ministerial promotion and
material prosperity. He spoke the lan- mony of Paul, an apostle par excellence:
guage of his master Elisha and even used “Truly the signs of an apostle were ac-
his staff. But he could not revive the dead complished among you WITH ALL PATIENCE,
child. He went after money stealthily and in signs and wonders and miracles” (2
bought only leprosy (2 Ki 4 & 5). Ministries Cor 12:12). Moses in impatience smote
will be ruined if tricky and manipulative the rock the second time. Of course waters
Gehazis come to leadership positions. did gush out! The miracle did happen!
People were abundantly blessed. But God
Ignoring so many senior associates and was totally displeased. He viewed the
mature believers in their own congrega- impatience of Moses so seriously that he
tions, several pastors make their sons as was denied entry into the Promised Land!
next leaders. These youngsters may have (Num 20:7-12).

135 136
As Elisha did? glory of God, we must wait patiently
before Him. Jesus had already given His
The descent of the Dove-like Spirit on
Jesus at the riverbank and His forty day disciples power over unclean spirits (Mt
fasting in the desert charged Him with 10:1). But when they could not cast out a
God’s power beyond measure. But when demon from a young boy, the explanation
the devil prompted Him to try it out by of Jesus was that they should spend enough
turning stones into bread, Jesus refused time unhurriedly with God in fasting and
(Mt 3:16-4:4). This is patience that’s prayer. Faith and power alone won’t do
perfect. In contrast, prophet Elisha, who (Mt 17:19-21). Why did Jesus delay His
was patient before getting the mantle, visit to Lazarus when he was dying? He
started acting in haste once he received took time to receive specific instructions
it. He struck Jordon immediately with
from His Father about the situation.
the mantle (2 Ki 2:13,14). In his impa-
tience he cursed fortytwo youths who
mocked at him. They were instantly de- A.W. Tozer (1871-1963) observed, “We
voured by wild bears (vv 23-25). What did hear a great deal about GO YE, but not
Elisha gain by the death of so many young- much about TARRY YE !” This was the
sters? God forbid that we in impatience worry of the 18th century Scottish preacher,
do any destructive thing “as Elisha did!” Andrew Bonar (1810-1892), who warned
Gifts of the Spirit and His fruit are two ministers of his day, “One of the gravest
different things. Charisma is not the same perils which besets the ministry is a rest-
as character. It is possible to excel in
less scattering of energies over an amaz-
prophesying, exhibit mountain-moving faith
ing multiplicity of interests which leaves
and even embrace martyrdom without love
which is perfected by patience (1 Cor 13:1- no margin of time and of strength for
4a; Js 1:4). Emerson commented, “A man receptive and absorbing communion with
is a hero, not because he is braver than God.” A prepared messenger is more im-
anyone else, but because he is brave for portant than a prepared message. We cannot
ten minutes longer!” cultivate a spirit of prayer unless we
acquaint ourselves with divine patience.
With God for God! We should begin to pray before we kneel
God endows us with gifts of power. In down, and we should not cease when we
order that they may be operated for the rise up!
137 138
My own vineyard sail against God’s wind. Financial diffi-
culties, fruitlessness in work, material
When we become overoccupied with the losses, failures in life, family problems,
work of God and neglect personal devo-
physical ailments, deaths of dear ones,
tions, our spiritual growth will be stunted.
and the like may be God’s attention-
Then we will have to lament like the
getters. Stay sensitive.
Shulamite in the Song of Solomon, “They
made me the keeper of the vineyards, but
Perhaps today!
my own vineyard I have not kept” (SS
1:6b). Jesus was always watchful to avoid Fulfilment of visions, accomplishment
this pitfall. When the work increased, He of goals, answers to prayers, solution of
increased His quiet time with His Father. problems and several such things may be
Historian Luke gives a firsthand report: inordinately delayed in our work for God.
“Despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of But he who waits on God loses no time.
His power spread even faster, and vast We will not be frustrated if what we
crowds came to hear Him preach and to primarily look forward to is the Return of
be healed of their diseases. But Jesus Christ rather than any of the above things.
often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” Horatius Bonar (1808-1889) was called
(Lk 5:15,16). the prince of Scottish hymn-writers. He
served God for over sixty years. When he
Attention-getters gets up in the morning, he would say,
“Perhaps today, Lord!” When he retires to
The saintly Robert Murray M’Cheyne
bed, “Perhaps tonight, Lord!” God knows
said, “Every wise workman takes his tools
away from the work from time to time that it is a struggle for us to be patient.
that they may be ground and sharpened; That’s why Christ repeatedly says, “Be-
so does the only-wise Jehovah take His hold, I come quickly!”
ministers oftentimes away into darkness
and loneliness and trouble that He may
sharpen and prepare them for harder work
in His service.” Blessed thought! God
allows crises in our lives to slow us down
in the rat race. We should not be discour-
aged, but at the same time we should not
139 140
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