The Flagship of Patience

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Paul presents patience as the premier expression of love. Positioned at the head of the apostle’s Love Armadaâ€"a boat-length or two in front of kindness, courtesy, and forgivenessâ€"the flagship known as patience. “Love is patient.”

The Greek word used here for patience is a descriptive one. It figuratively means “taking a long time to boil.” Think about a pot of boiling water. What factors determine the speed at which it boils? The size of the stove? No. The pot? The utensil may have an influence, but the primary factor is the intensity of the flame. Water boils quickly when the flame is high. It boils slowly when the flame is low. Patience “keeps the burner down.”

Helpful clarification, don’t you think? Patience isn’t naïve. It doesn’t ignore misbehavior. It just keeps the flame low. It waits. It listens. It’s slow to boil. This is how God treats us. And, according to Jesus, this is how we should treat others. (from Max Lucado's Grace For the Moment, Vol. 2)

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