1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
7 But [alla] we were [ginomai] gentle [epios] among [en] [mesos] you, [humon] even as [hos] a nurse [trophos] cherisheth [an] [thalpo] her [heautou] children: [teknon]
8 So [houto] being affectionately desirous [himeiromai] of you, [humon] we were
willing [eudokeo] to
have imparted [metadidomi] unto you, [humin] not [ou] the gospel [euaggelion] of God [theos] only, [monon] but [alla] also [kai] our own [heautou] souls, [psuche] because [dioti] ye were [ginomai] dear [agapetos] unto us. [hemin] KJV-Interlinear
7 But we
proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own
children. 8 Having thus a fond affection
for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but
also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. NASB
Patience, endurance,
tolerance are paramount attributes for the spiritually advancing believer.
At some point in our
lives, we will all assume the role of instructor. An instructor is not limited to the academics
of life, in a formal school or church or study setting, but applies to parent
and child, friends and neighbors, and so forth.
Most teaching opportunities
are of an informal nature, and most make themselves
available on a daily basis.
In life we will all
have encounters with people, with advertising, with promotional media, with news
and such.
And knowing the nature
of this world, which nature pursues evil, lies, and therefore stupidity, then as
an advancing believer, and recognizing the absurdity of life all around, you
have to discipline yourself to deal with it all, just as a mother deals with a
growing child.
Children have their
silly and ridiculous moments, and most mature moms simply take them in stride,
expecting them, catching them on the fly, dealing with them, and moving
forward.
When the child is
silly, ridiculous or outright stupid, no mother in her right mind will condemn
the child for their brainless notions.
Most mature moms will simply deflect the views and direct them in more
correct views.If this gives the child
cause to think and review their own ideas, then the mother has taught the child
successfully.
And the world is no
different.
In life there are the
mature and the immature.
Maturity comes with
knowledge and experience, such that you are able to figure life out. Bible doctrine is the only
source of knowledge that offers you a complete picture of life, from all perspectives,
and therefore the only means of developing true wisdom for dealing with life.
The only means of
advancing to maturity, is through a daily Bible Study. One which goes on and on and on for the rest
of your life, with no days skipped, no time off for vacations, even in sickness
your daily study should be foremost on your things to do list.
And although there are
many forms of and degrees of maturity (physical, mental, emotional, etc.),
spiritual maturity is the single most important, because it is the most
complete, whereas the others are not.
The world is full of
intellectually mature people, but without doctrine, their views will always be skewed
in the wrong direction of life.And
therefore, tolerance and patience are a requirement for the believer,
especially in times of trouble, world trouble, when the immature (most everyone
in the world) run things.
Your greatest tidbit of
knowledge is that Jesus Christ controls history. So no matter how ridiculous or absurd this
world seems to be, no matter how closed minded people are to your opinions,
Christ will sort it all out, and work everything for the benefit of that which
is good and rational and correct.