Patience - God’s power in you that is towards others (Colossians 1:11).

Class Outline:

Thursday August 20, 2026

 

Intro:

 

You can look the part, speak the right language, appear faithful—yet if you are not firmly attached to Christ by faith, you will quit on people when the relational storms come.

 

Today we are looking at one specific way God’s power shows up in the Christian life: patience with people.

 

COL 1:11

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;

 

Definition of makrothumia (patience): state of being able to bear up under provocation.

 

The word “all” modifies both nouns. God’s power is given so that we can be patient with all people in all circumstances.

 

Main idea:

God’s glorious power is continually supplied so that every believer can remain patient with all people in every circumstance for the sake of the gospel.

 

1. God Himself Is Patient

 

Patience is not a virtue, not initially a human one. But it is God’s character.

 

EXO 34:6

Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth

 

“slow to anger” (makrothumos in the LXX; Greek translation of the OT). 

 

This is God’s own character, displayed for centuries toward Israel and still displayed toward a mocking world.

 

2PE 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

 

When Christ sent His people into the world, He intended them to display a patience the world had never dreamed possible.

 

2. We Are Called to Be Patient Like God and Like Christ

 

MAT 5:38-48 - no longer eye-for-eye or hate-your-enemy. Instead: turn the other cheek, go the second mile, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

 

Christ is the perfect model:

 

1PE 2:21-23

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 

 

We have been called to this very thing.

 

1PE 4:12-14

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

 

The same power language we saw in:

 

2CO 12:9

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in (“on”) me.

 

3. The Clear Fruit of This Power

 

The evidence of God’s power is not in feeling but in results.

 

EPH 4:1-3

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

Cause / power source: EPH 3:16-19

 

COL 3:12-14

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity

 

GAL 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (makrothumia), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

Cause / power source: Walking by the Spirit, GAL 5:16.

 

Conclusion:

 

God has been infinitely patient with you. In Christ the conflict between the requirement and your inability has been resolved.

 

The power that raised Jesus now flows toward you for this very purpose.

 

Make it your goal:

 

Incorporate forbearance and patience directly into your life - go and do:

 

1. Remember how patient God has been with you (Mat 18 principle). 

 

2. Look to Christ, who did not revile or quit under provocation. 

 

3. Choose to remain patient with the specific people who test you, trusting that God will supply the power as you walk in His will.

 

Patience with all people is one of the clearest signs that the glorious might of God is at work in the new creation.