"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Colossians 3:12

Today let's look very briefly at two other godly virtues, gentleness and patience. Along with compassion, kindness and humility these are so evident in the life of Jesus as we see Him in the Gospels. Once again, I remind us that "...as He is so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). It is the Holy Spirit who indwells us and is at work in us to produce the Fruit of the Spirit (those godly virtues) as we walk in Him and not in the flesh.
For Galatians 5:16 tells us,
"...Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

Concerning gentleness,
In the "Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible" gentleness is defined as:
"kindness, consideration, a spirit of fairness and compassion. The Apostle Paul declared that Christians should have a spirit of gentleness toward all people" as in Philippians 4:5, "Let your gentleness be made known to all men..."

We are, therefore, to put on a heart of gentleness-- As we live in this world we are:
"To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men." Titus 3:2

To be a gentle servant as Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 2:24-25:
"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth."

To restore a brethren:
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness..." Galatians 6:1

In 1Timothy 6:3-16 Paul gives an exhortation to godliness and contentment.
In verse 11 he tells us,
"But you, O man flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." (See Vs. 3-10 for the 'these things')

Concerning patience (longsuffering),
"Vine's Expository Dictionary" tells us, the Greek word is "hupomone meaning an abiding under: in trials, under chastisement, under undeserved affliction, in doing well, in fruit bearing, in running the appointed race.
Patience perfects Christian character."
Of the Trinity:
God, the author,
"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5

Christ, the example,
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love God and into the patience of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

The Holy Spirit is the source
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." Galatians 5:22

Patience:
It is product of tribulations as Paul tells us in Romans 5:3-4, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope."

It is the product of the testing of faith, "Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:3

The Scriptures produce patience as Paul tells us in Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were written before where written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope."

In Colossians 1:9-14 is Paul's prayer for the Colossians and down through the centuries for us; it speaks of longsuffering with joy! The following are Vs. 10-12, "That you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

It is a necessary virtue in awaiting the appearance of Christ!
"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." James 4:7-8

Thank you Holy Spirit for producing in us this life sustaining fruit.  Amen