His Perfect Work

When Paul is defending the authenticity of his ministry to the church at Corinth, he lists a variety of "proofs." He "lists" such things as "in tribulation," "in being mobbed," "in beatings," "in hunger," "in imprisonment," And then he adds "in patience," "in kindness," "in genuine love." I can never read through that passage without being caught off-guard by those last "proofs." But then, I reflect." Prior to his conversion would anyone have said that Paul's life was characterized by patience, kindness, and genuine love? No, those attributes were evidence that Paul had been transformed by the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. Patience, kindness, and genuine love are the fruit of the Spirit being produced in the life and ministry of Paul. They are indeed proofs that he was doing God's work God's way.
In fact, Paul on several occasions, emphasizes that it was the patience of God at work in his life that led to his conversion. God patiently waited for the right time and the right place to confront Paul and bring him unto Himself. Paul states that his conversion is the evidence that the God of patience can--and is willing--to save anyone regardless of the life he or she is living in rebellion toward Him. Even if that person's life has been dedicated to the destruction of the church, dedicated to the shaking of one's fist in the face of God and a denial of His Son. Did not God's patience transform Paul from an enemy of God to one of His most dynamic messengers to the world of the love of God and the redeeming work of Christ? Is there, then, anyone with whom we should not be patient (and kind, and genuinely loving) and allow God to work in his or her life?
And patience is such a dynamic manifestation, fruit, of the Spirit. We are told to exhort others with great patience--patience to the max. The Spirit's work in the lives of those we teach--and we are all teachers--is the Lord's work, to be accomplished in His timing. Peter tells us--and he may know a little about the impact of impatience on one's faithfulness--that the Lord's work in someone's life is never tardy, never slow, but always perfectly "on time." We must not be impatient with His work in the lives of those we encourage to accept Him and follow Him. He is patiently working. 
In addition, our patience in the face of persecution gains favor from God. Our patience in the times of tribulation forms the bedrock of our endurance, joyful endurance in all circumstances. "Love is patient." To be impatient with others, with God's work in the lives of others and thus, with God Himself, is to lack love for Him and for our neighbors--the essence of the two great calls to obedience.
Patience is compared in Scripture to the work of the farmer. He plants the seeds and then can only wait for God to send the rains and to produce an abundant harvest of mature fruit. So, too, we, having been brought to redemption by the patience of God and called to our ministry--whatever that may be--must plant the seeds of His Word, and patiently, expectantly, wait for Him to send the rains and mature the harvest. Doing the work He has called us to "in patience" will be "proof" that we are doing His work His way. He is not slow. He will not be tardy. His patience is His perfect work.