Rev. Johnson V.
24th January 2010 

Galatians 5:22 (KJV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith….”

Have you noticed that the Bible lists out 7 characteristics but groups all of them together into a single entity? The Bible refers to them as ‘fruit’ of the Spirit, not fruits. The fullness or wholesomeness of the Spirit encompasses all of these characteristics. As disciples of Christ, we must have the entirety of God’s nature in us as a sign of our maturity in Christ.

The fruit of His Spirit is in us, it is not something external to us. The moment we are born again, the nature of God is placed inside us. But it is in the form of a seed, which must be nurtured before it can grow. We need to feed it through the Word of God and allow God to build us up through our circumstances. Like a seed planted in the soil, the nature of God may not be visible in us, but it is present. Only when it grows, does it become visible to those around us. God is primarily concerned about changing us in our thoughts, our attitudes and all that is on the inside of us. An outward display of Godly character will follow by natural consequence.

Longsuffering or patience is a sign of our maturity in Christ. It is here that we often fail as disciples of Christ. We’d prefer if God answered our prayers within a certain time frame. But often that is not the case. Being patient involves knowing that God is at work in our situation and that He will be right on-time for our miracle.

Principles of Waiting in Patience

• Make sure that you are waiting for something worthwhile. Whatever we are waiting for, we must ensure that it is what God wants us to wait for and is worth our time. James 5:7 talks about how a farmer plants a seed and then waits for the early and latter rains. God provides everything in seasons (cycles). God provides the early and latter rains. The early rain prepares the ground in preparation for the sowing of the seed. It could be a word from God that activates your faith and propels you to doing something that He wants you to (sowing the seed). After the seed is sown, the latter rain arrives to help the seed grow and bear fruit. If you have sown the seed that God wants you to, you can rest assured that it will grow because God will faithfully provide the latter rain. What you sow, you will reap. 
• Waiting in patience, is not the same as resting in peace. Waiting in patience involves preparation. Prepare yourself for the miracle. Waiting in patience does not mean that we should be idle, but it is a time that God has given us to prepare ourselves for the miracle that He will send our way. Preparation is the separation between success and failure. James 1:4 (KJV) says “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Be prepared so that when the blessing comes, you are ready. We are not called to be like the waves of the sea (James 1:6), swinging between faith and doubt. We are called to be deeply rooted in Him and grow from faith to greater faith to even greater faith. 
• Luke 2:52 – Our Lord Jesus endured a period of preparation before He began His ministry. He grew in wisdom and stature. He started His ministry when He was 30 years old. Luke 1:80 – John the Baptist also waited and became strong in spirit before he started his ministry. There is a period of waiting that God intends at some point in our lives. The period of waiting prepares us for His plans in our lives.
• What will happen to us in the process of waiting patiently? Isaiah 40:31 – they shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings of eagles, they will run and not be weary, walk and not be faint. You will come out of the period of waiting much stronger, and with a clearer vision than before.
• Habakkuk 2:3, 4 – God’s promises will come at the right time – don’t give up.
• Hebrews 6:12 – In order for us to inherit the promises of God, faith alone is not enough. We need faith and patience before we can inherit the promises of God. 
• 2 Chronicles 16:9 – God is searching for those who are waiting on Him so that He can prove Himself to them. He hears your patient and faithful prayer, and He is eager to prove Himself faithful to you. Let your heart be still before His throne as you patiently wait for your Father to do what He alone can do.