As we discussed in the Bible Study yesterday (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-baptism-of-love), patience is the first attribute mentioned in the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. All of us will be tested in this area, without exception. Those who have the revelation of glorification are eager for it to happen. They are anxious for others of like mind to receive the revelation. We must be patient. Have you considered that you might be the one chosen to plant or water the seed for those with less revelation? Kemper wrote about the need for “horizontal” ministry in his book “Raising the Remnant”. Love focuses on others’ needs rather than your own aspirations. We must allow patience to be perfected in us. One aspect of our patience being perfected is ministering to others who have full or partial blindness to the revelation you have given. Your responsibility is to plant seed or water existing seed. Watering occurs after the planting and denotes a time of focus. Until you are either rejected or the revelation is accepted, you must be patient. Are you interceding on behalf of that other person? Are you a testimony of Love to that other person, drawing them closer to you? If not, you may be operating in “conditional” love rather than agape Love.
James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
There is a “perfecting” of patience. Are you perfected yet? Patience requires an interaction with others and/or events. Be assured that we will be tested by both. Paul understood these tests as he wrote:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
I am convinced that Our Heavenly Father foreknew that I would be willing to receive the revelation of Love. In this body, it must be perfected and impatience must be overcome. The world has trained us to expect results quickly. Revelation does not abide by the world’s requirements of instantaneous.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
In the above passage, “HE” is the key. Our Heavenly Father is the ONE who provides the increase in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. HE is the ONE who gives revelation to those HE foreknew. HE is the ONE who changes our hearts and minds. We must accept HIS time frame for manifestation. Let patience have its perfect work so that your Love will also be perfected:
1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.