If you feel proud that you have determined to be patient with someone, you still are not showing love towards that person.
Granted, no one loves perfectly; only God does. Yet we must remember that though "love is patient" love also "does not seek its own". (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) Being patient with someone just so that you can feel superior to that person is 'seeking your own' glory because you are making much of your own uprightness and morality rather than so that God may be magnified and glorified. (2 Corinthians 10:12-18) He alone deserves the attention and glory because we learned solely from Him what and how to be patient and loving in the first place. (1 Corinthians 4:7)
And in the midst of it all, try to keep the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24 in the forefront of your meditations because it may not really be a matter of you being "patient" and rather that you have truly wronged them and must repent and reconcile.
"For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously." ~1 Peter 2:20-23
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Different Things God is teaching Me
SpiritualWhen God shows His love, mercy, forgiveness, longsuffering, and grace towards you...it shouldn't stop with you. You are destined to pass it on to others and reflect faithfulness and devotion back to Him as the Divine Spouse. Cover Art by Maria Oosth...
