How to Inherit the Promises
By: Dr. Rodney Howard-BrownePublish date: 11/05/2017
Foundation Scripture:
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV
1. Inheriting the Promises.
God promised Abraham that he would have a son and many descendants, and that, through him, all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
From that time Abraham waited patiently for 25 years, until Isaac’s birth.
God has made us some exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4).
We are to follow the example of Abraham, and others, who have inherited the promises – and allow them to inspire us into the same spirit of diligence.
We cannot afford to be slothful, or we will fail.
When we are sluggish, disinterested and lazy, we are being slothful.
We need to exercise faith in God, so that we may receive those things we’ve asked of Him.
However, faith needs patience in order to work.
Without patience, there is no faith!
2. Patience.
Patience is the capacity, or willingness, to endure waiting, delay, annoyance, misfortune, pain, or provocation without becoming angry or upset. It means quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence.
Synonyms of patience are calmness, composure, forbearance, fortitude, imperturbability, long-suffering, persistence, poise, restraint, self-control, serenity, staying power, and tolerance.
James 1:3-4 AMPC - “Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.”
We can’t really know the depth of our own character, until we see how we react under pressure.
3. Faith and Patience.
Patience is produced through keeping your eyes on God and His word, and continuing to trust in Him, through all kinds of trials and tribulations.
Patience involves steadfastness and endurance – refusing to quit or give up.
We call that “bulldog faith”!
Tests work patience and patience works perfection.
Because our trials and temptations are often so intense, they seem to last for an eternity.
Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth.
Character and spiritual maturity grow and develop in us, as we allow patience to have its perfect and thorough work in us, through all the tough times and the difficult circumstances that life throws at us.
Faith and patience go hand in hand and grow up together in us as we allow God to do His work in our heart and life.
James 1:2-4 KJV - “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
When we allow patience to have her perfect work, we will be perfect and entire wanting nothing and coming short in nothing.
4. Perseverance.
1 Timothy 6:11-12 KJV - “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
2 Timothy 3:10-11 AMPC - “Now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 11 Persecutions, sufferings — such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”
Paul lists the characteristics that make a godly and successful Christian – faith, patience, and love.
Faith and patience go hand in hand, together with love and righteousness and godliness.
Another word for steadfastness is perseverance.
Paul needed perseverance to get him through all the trials and persecutions he had to suffer for the Word’s sake.
He calls on us to follow the example he set, and at the same time, he assures us that even though he had to endure all this, the Lord was still faithful to deliver him in the end.
We have to understand that trials, tribulations, and persecution are all part of our walk down here.
It doesn’t mean that God has abandoned us – on the contrary – He is with us through it all and will deliver us out of it all if we will only trust in Him and allow Him to do His work in and through us.
Titus 2:2 AMPC - “Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience [of Christ].”
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NKJV - “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.”
5. Growing in Faith and Patience.
Patience is the opposite of frustration, impatience, agitation, and intolerance.
The patience that we exhibit through all the tough things we go through in life is growing our faith.
As our faith grows, we become stronger and more solid in the things of God.
Our faith muscles are exercised.
Just as physical muscles can only grow through opposition – weights – so our spiritual muscles – our faith – grows through opposition!
The more our faith and patience grow, the more we can overcome the trials, temptations, and attacks of the enemy.
The more we grow in faith and patience, the greater our victories become!
We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!
Through faith and patience, we will inherit the promises!