It's All About Love ~ Part II

Patience and Kindness
"Love is patient and kind."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4 NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/1co.13.4-5.nlt

Patience:
By the grace of God we can freely approach Him. Even when we do something wrong or when we sin, we can go to Him, with a true heart repent for what we have done and be cleansed by the blood of Christ. In the same way, we are expected to be patient with the ones we love. Being patient includes forgiving them each time they hurt you and encourage them each time they try hard to allow Christ to change them. Change is a gradual process and we need to be patient with the ones we love. The parable of the Prodigal Son explains it the best. Forgiving might not seem easy each time, but when you can see the person being determined to change ways, we must ask God to help us be patient with them not forgetting that He is patient with us too.

"So watch yourselves! "If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.""
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.3-4.nlt
As Jesus clearly says to forgive, He also says to rebuke the person who sins. And here is where 'Love is Kind' is applicable.

Kindness:
You will never want your loved ones to perish and that's why you would correct them when wrong. God has placed spiritual leaders over us to discipline us. Even God disciplines us. But the word discipline only helps us think about how to be harsh and how to use the rod to hurt and help someone realise how wrong the person is. But we often forget that: His rod and His staff comforts us. (Psalm 23:4)
Discipline doesn't mean to look down upon someone and hurt someone. It should bring comfort. Using the rod does cause a little pain, but when used with kindness can work as a healing balm.

Earlier people offered animals and birds as sacrifice. Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and restored our relationship with the Father. Through His sacrifice, we receive grace to boldly approach the Father. It is because of His grace that He easily forgives us and accepts us each time we approach Him. It His love demonstrated to us through Him being patient and kind with us. But that doesn't give us advantage to play around with the grace we have freely received.

"Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!"
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/rom.6.15.nlt

God's love for us knows no bounds. He gave His only son for us. Jesus paid a heavy price for our sins. And it is only because of His love for us that He can't let us ruin our lives by playing around with sin. We might end up losing patience with some people. We might not be able to display kindness. Such actions of ours will only be justified when we are aware that the person is stiff necked and doesn't want to mend ways. It is not our duty to change people, only Christ can; but when the person doesn't surrender to Christ willingly, the only way left with us is to pray for that person. Sometimes, remembering people in your prayers can be the best and the only way to maintain relationships. You might cut off every means of communication and yet display patience and kindness by praying without ceasing for them.

"Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:45‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.19.45.nlt
Jesus did lose His cool. You might also be aware of many scriptures where He wasn't very kind towards the Pharisees. Yet, He did not sin. Neither did He hate them. And I'm sure that if they would come to Him with a repentant heart, He would have gladly forgiven them and accepted them; but they didn't. Even when they knew that Jesus was speaking about them, they didn't bother to mend their ways.

"When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:45‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/mat.21.45.nlt

Similarly, we might encounter such people. It is only the Holy Spirit who can help us discern to make the right choice.

Patience and Kindness go hand in hand. They are qualities that express love. We need to ensure that we aren't playing with the grace and love we receive not only from God, but also from people. At the same time, we need to be careful that people shouldn't exploit us because of the patience and kindness we show towards them.