Church Fathers, Day One Hundred Four: Tertullian says if you want faith, practice patience

If you want faith, practice patience

Tertullian, one of the founders of Christian theology, tells us that the New Law demands patience. Without patience, there can be no faith.

Patience comes both after and before faith.

Abraham believed God; but it was patience that tested his faith, when he was told to sacrifice his son. Such a burdensome commandment would not have pleased the Lord if it had been carried out perfectly, but he patiently heard it and would have obeyed it if it had been God’s will. He certainly deserved to be called blessed because he was faithful; and he deserved to be called faithful because he was patient.

So faith, illuminated by patience, when it was spreading through the nations through Abraham’s seed, which is Christ, and was adding grace over the Law, made patience her main helper for deepening and fulfilling the Law because that was all that was missing from the teaching of righteousness.

In the old days, people demanded “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” and to repay evil for evil. Patience was not yet on the earth, because faith was not on the earth either. Of course, impatience made full use of the opportunities the Law gave it. That was easy when the Lord and Master of patience was not here. But now that he has come and put the grace of faith together with patience, we are no longer allowed to attack someone even with a word—not even to call someone a fool without facing the danger of judgment.

The Law found more than it lost when Christ said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45). This most important commandment summarizes in a word the universal discipline of patience, since it does not allow us to do evil even to people who deserve it.

–Tertullian, On Patience, chapter 6

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What things try my patience in my life?

What does Christ really want me to do about those things?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, I know that, in your mysterious providence, I am called to share in the sufferings of your Son. Grant me a spirit of patience, so that I may always be a true and faithful witness to your promises.

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