In this article we shall look at patience from yet another facet. Truth, like a precision cut diamond, reveals it's beauty as it is examined in the light and viewed through it's many facets.

Luke 8
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience:<5281> Verse 15

Notice the Strong's number for the word patient in this verse is #5281. This is the most common Greek word which is translated as patient/patience.

1. steadfastness, constancy, endurance
   1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from
   his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by
   even the greatest trials and sufferings
   1b) patiently, and steadfastly
   
2. a patient, steadfast waiting for
   a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
   

The definiton indicates the primary thought expressed by this word is stedfastness, endurance, constancy. The word carries with it the implication that obstacles and distractions will arise which will put patience (stedfastness) to the test. The following verse illustrates that there will be situations and circumstances which will call for the exercise of this spiritual quality.

Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Thus, in this context, patience is an unwavering adherence to God's will, even in the face of adversity. Patience is not needed in a perfect environment! We read that "tribulation worketh patience" (Ro.5:3 & ch.). The situations and circumstances in your life that test your faith are the ones which call for patient steadfastness. (James 1:3 & ch.)

Our verse in Luke is from the Parable of the Sower. In this lesson, Jesus illustrates various hindrances to the gospel message and some contrasting ways that gospel instruction is recieved by different people. This lesson also sheds light on many of the obstacles that will pose a hinderance to us; temptation (worldly enticement), cares (anxieties/stress), riches (the desire for), pleasures (entertainment/ amusements). A multitude of bells, whistles, lights, and alarms in this world tend to distract us from our Spiritual Calling and purpose.

Of the various characters considered in this Parable, only the ones identified in our verse are fruitful. We have not properly responded to our "calling" unless we are producing fruit. What is the fruit that we are to be bear? Why, the fruit of the Spirit of God which dwells in us!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: (Gal.5: 22)

In the Parable of the Sower, gospel instruction was heard by a wide variety of people. They were all at the right geographical location to recieve the instruction. However, the word of instruction was not effectual at producing fruit in any but those in verse 15. These were they which "in an honest and good heart"....hear....keep....bear fruit....with patience (stedfast constancy).
These verbs (hearing, keeping, bearing fruit) indicate specific activity a person is to be engaged in. To do otherwise is a moral fault in the person.

How needful it is that we remain stedfast in the faith, stedfast in our convictions, and stedfast in loyalty to our comittments (spiritual, moral, and legal). Let us be fore-warned; there will be many obstacles, distractions, and temptations which will test our patience (stedfastness). By God's grace we can overcome these oppositions, persevere faithfully in our Calling, and bring forth fruit with patience.

John 15:8
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

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