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 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
9 The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.
16 but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who 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 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! [ (Psalms 27:15) Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD! ]
7 He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.
3 Hearken to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to thee do I pray.
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still."
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 is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
9 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.
5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
2 with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in 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 who endures to the end will be saved.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
11 I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
5 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.