Patience is an important aspect of faith. We must ask and then wait patiently for the answer, not throwing away our confidence. We must endure through many tribulations if we would attain our goal. We must persevere if we are to receive the promise.

It is not easy to be patient. It is not easy to wait until the fervently desired object or situation has been gained. We are tempted to scheme and act and answer our own prayer by manipulating and forcing people and circumstances.

It is difficult and a test of our faith to continue to serve in a situation that we find highly disagreeable. We must be patient, like the patriarch Joseph, while the word of God tests us. We must learn obedience in our inner nature. All of God's rulers, beginning with Christ Himself, learn obedience by the things they suffer.

Patient continuance in detestable duty is required of every saint, of all who would rule with Christ.

The believer who must have what he or she wants right now, who cannot bear to have his or her hopes deferred, will never wear the crown of life and righteousness.

Sometimes our answer comes with lightning speed. Even before we speak, God responds. On other occasions the answer to our prayers takes forever in coming—or so it seems. If we would gain the promise we must exercise patient, enduring, persevering confidence that what God has promised He most certainly shall perform.

Patience is required during the forming of Christ in us. The adamic nature must serve God patiently while waiting for the Kingdom to be formed in our personality. The adamic nature must, with the help of God's Spirit, obey the commandments given by the Lord through His Apostles.

The necessity for a faithful adamic personality during the working out of the Divine salvation has sometimes been overlooked. It is true that the end product of the new covenant is not a saved adamic nature but a new creation formed from the body and blood of Christ. However, in order to arrive at the end product the adamic nature must have integrity.

If the adamic nature does not have integrity it is impossible for the Kingdom of God to be brought forth in us. The Seed of the Kingdom must fall into an "honest and good heart."

If our adamic nature is unwilling to hold our body as a living sacrifice before God it is impossible for the Word of God to come to maturity in our personality.

If the adamic nature does not, with the Lord's help, obey the commandments of the Apostles, it is impossible for us to experience the crucifixion of our old man and the resurrection of the new.

If our adamic personality does not adhere faithfully to the Scriptures, both Old Testament and New, it is impossible for the Day Star, Christ, to rise in our heart.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy [the Scriptures]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (II Peter 1:19)

If the adamic man does not continue patiently in well doing it is impossible for us to inherit eternal life.

If our human personality does not persevere patiently in tests and tribulations we will not be able to possess our soul. The desires of our flesh and soul will take control of us and bring us down to destruction. We will lose both our flesh and our soul if we permit them to govern us.

To be continued.