by Sheila Bain
Why do kingdom people need patience? What does it look like, and what is its purpose?
Patience can be difficult today. You’ve heard people mock the expression “Christ is coming soon.” Peter says it was the same in his day (2 Peter 3:4). Why be concerned about how to live if Jesus delays?
But isn’t our faithful patience until Christ returns for His name’s sake and glory? Name’s sake is about reputation — the part of a person that lives beyond the grave. Scripture tells us what God does is for His name’s sake so that it’s not profaned by us or non-believers (Isaiah 48:11). Shouldn’t we do the same for Him?
Because the Father’s reflection is in Jesus, our patience in waiting preserves the reputation of both the Father and Son (John 14:9).
The Word tells us to be patient, hope, and look for deliverance because “those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). But there must be preparation on our part, as Hosea told Israel: “return to your God; hold fast to grace and justice; and always put your hope in your God” (12:7).
Paul encouraged the Colossians with the same instruction to “live lives worthy of the Lord . . . pleasing to him, being fruitful . . . and multiplying in the full knowledge of God” so that they were “able to persevere and be patient . . . fit to share in the inheritance of his people . . .” (1:10-12). That inheritance is worth waiting for!
Patience “proves” us, as James says (1:12). We prove our qualifications for earthly jobs. Does our kingdom inheritance require any less? We believe deliverance is coming one day when Christ returns, so we should take comfort in Peter’s words: “following along with his promise, wait for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness will be at home . . . as you look for these things, . . . think of our Lord’s patience as deliverance . . .” (2 Peter 3:13-15). Because of this, we should imitate those who wait in trust and patience (Hebrews 6:12).
Kingdom people reckon our patience and His delay as deliverance — for us and for others who are drawn into His kingdom. His coming is nearer every day, so we must remain patient (James 5:8), and, as Isaiah says, wait on the Lord and look to Him (8:17; 26:9). Our kingdom patience and watchfulness uphold His name’s sake and righteousness.
This isn’t easy to do. Feelings can deceive us. Testing our patience may come in moments when we don’t feel connected to Him, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t working. He never asked us to feel, but to trust and obey. Therefore, we must remain surrendered to His Word and promises of what is coming. Patiently waiting for God’s promises is not for our glory or the approval of others. It is for His name’s sake because it glorifies His reputation. We trust the Father that Jesus is returning because His Word is trustworthy. Our patience shows the world that we believe in the promise of our kingdom inheritance and that it’s something worth waiting for.
