Paciência
A paciência é fruto do Espírito e virtude essencial da vida cristã. Deus é paciente conosco, e nos chama a ser pacientes com os outros e nas provações.
A paciência de Deus
Deus é clemente e tardio em irar-se. Sua paciência revela seu desejo de que todos se arrependam e cheguem ao conhecimento da verdade.
8 Jehovah is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
16 howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.
18 And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him.
Esperar com paciência
Os que esperam no Senhor renovam as forças. A paciência produz caráter, e o caráter produz esperança que não decepciona.
14 Wait for Jehovah:
Be strong, and let thy heart take courage;
Yea, wait thou for Jehovah.
7 Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him:
Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
3 O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice;
In the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch.
25 But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
14 Jehovah will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Paciência nas provações
O amor é paciente. A paciência é marca de maturidade espiritual e nos permite perseverar mesmo quando as circunstâncias são adversas.
4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
5 Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:
2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;
2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Perseverança até o fim
Quem perseverar até o fim será salvo. O domínio próprio é maior que a conquista de uma cidade.
13 But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
29 He that is slow to anger is of great understanding;
But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
5 For his anger is but for a moment;
His favor is for a life-time:
Weeping may tarry for the night,
But joy cometh in the morning.