Longsuffering
by
Sammie L Turner Jr
We may better understand what is meant by “longsuffering”
when we think of one as having such qualities as patience, not fainting and
being able to endure. (2 Corinthians 6.4,
patience; 2 Corinthians 6.1-6, patience, et al; Luke 18.1, not to faint and
James 5.11, endure)
Longsuffering is the ability to hold on to your
Christian faith even in the face of difficulty, pain, adversity, uncertainty,
etc.
In Galatians 5.22,23 we hear the words of Jesus’
servant Paul, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.
What does Paul mean when referring to the fruit of
the Spirit, he says, “against such there is no law”?
An explanation is, when one demonstrates the fruit
of the Spirit, they essentially fulfill the requirements of God’s law. The fruit of the Spirit dwelling within you automatically
causes you to wholly love God, and to love your neighbor (that is, other people)
as yourself. (Matthew 22.36-40). Thus, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit
is equivalent to fulfilling God’s law.
Again, to say there is no law against the fruit of
the Spirit suggests there is no rule, authority, nor government which can judge
adversely against the power of God’s love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance abiding in our lives.
One way to please God is being willing to go
through -- whether it’s being patient with others, holding on to your faith in
Christ Jesus or for example, completing a difficult project or task.
When we live, work and interact with people in
religious, social and recreational settings, we should be merciful, kind,
humble, meek and faithful. (1 Peter 5)
When we suffer long, endure what is necessary
and/or tolerate undesirable circumstances and events, we possess the virtue of
the fruit of the Spirit which is called “longsuffering”.
Paul admonishes us to “Put on therefore, as
the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one
another; if anyone have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on
charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3.12-15)
Let’s stay with God. Let us trust him to see us through, even in
the face of loneliness, ill health, opposition or hurt.
We should be responsible and caring; for others,
church leaders, human rights advocates and family, have suffered for us. We should be willing to help bear the burdens
of others; for parents, teachers and friends suffer with us. (See 1 Peter 5, tend the flock.)
Listen to Psalms 103.8, “The Lord is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy”. Hear also Psalms 78.38, “But God being full
of compassion, forgives our iniquity, and destroys us not: yes, many times he turns his anger away, and
does not stir up all his wrath.”
Despite
our gross failures, Jesus cares for us as a hen gathers her chickens under its
wings. (Matthew 23.37) (See Exodus
34.6,1-9, God is longsuffering; Numbers 14.18,11-20, God is longsuffering; Psalms
103.10-13, the Lord pitieth his children; Isaiah 48.9, God defers his anger and
Romans 2.4, God is longsuffering.)
What enables us to suffer long? The answer is in 1 Corinthians 13.4,7. “Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth (boasts) not itself; is not puffed up, beareth
all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things”. Charity, God’s divine love, helps us to
suffer long, excel and succeed, compared to others who may give up. God’s love helps us to love, even if others
are unloving or cruel.
How do we attain God’s love to bear all things? Simply, ask, seek, knock and believe, (Matthew 7.8; Hebrews 11.6), allow
Jesus to abide in your heart (Revelation 3.20,21) and give God praise! (See, Isaiah 12.1-6, Psalms 66.2,8, Psalms
66.1-20 and Psalms 150.)
How are we not to suffer? Peter instructs us not to “suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s
matters”. (1 Peter 4.15) Neither should we suffer when it is unnecessary. The Israelites suffered needlessly 40 years wandering
in a wilderness, for they displeased God with their complaining and unbelief. (Numbers 14.26-34)
How should we suffer? Peter says, “If anyone suffer as a Christian,
Let them not be ashamed; but let them glorify God”. (1 Peter 4.16)
(See 1 Peter 4.19 and Matthew 5.10-12.)
God loves us when we serve him with thanksgiving and cheer. (See Psalms 100, 2 Corinthians 9.6-11 and Ephesians
5.18-20.) God does great things for us
when we go through our trials with praise in our hearts. (See Psalms 66.1-12,20.)
When Paul and Silas were bound by chains in
prison, they sang songs of praises to God.
Their outstanding faith and praise broke the chains that bound them, and
the chains of the other prisoners. God’s
divine power and love freed them all from prison! (Acts 16.25-34)
Trust Jesus to see you through! His mercy and grace are abundant toward you! Jesus will bless you with great love, peace,
joy and fulfillment in life! You are his
beloved friend!
Jesus says, “Come unto me, ALL ye that
labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall
find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light”. (Matthew
11.28-30)
Jesus, our great example, never gave up! He did not faint, fail, fall nor falter! Neither will you! In the name of Jesus, you are more than a
conqueror! Paul reminds us, “Nay, in ALL
these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8.37)
The best is yet to come! Hold on to God’s unchanging hands! James, Jesus’ brother proclaims, “We count
them happy which endure”! (James 5.11) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus
Christ proclaims, “Count it ALL joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh ‘greatness’!” (James 1.1-3)
(See Romans 8.16,17, God’s children will be glorified with him; and 1
Peter 5.1,10, after suffering we will partake of his glory which shall be
revealed.)
Remember, “The sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”. (Romans 8.18)
But one of the fruit of the Spirit is
“longsuffering”. (Galatians 5.22)
Blessed be the name of our Redeemer and loving Savior, Jesus, the only Christ. Amen.
Sammie L Turner Jr, President
New
Life Christian Education and
Ministries
– School of Divinity
sammielturnerjr.blogspot.com
#theologian
No comments:
Post a Comment