Longsuffering is one of the old-time churchy words. This devotion looks at how practicing longsuffering can help disciples bring consistency into their walk.
Nuggets
- Longsuffering helps to control our anger and irritability.
- Meekness and courage are elements of longsuffering.
- We may have to accomplish our witnessing through longsuffering.
Devotions in the Consistency Needed for Spiritual Growth series
How Does Longsuffering Help Consistency?
Man, what is it with this series? I want consistency — I have to get there by diligence. I want dedication — I have to get there by commitment.
Now, I want forbearance. Well, it is a fruit of the Spirit in some translations (Gal. 5: 22).
Nada.
So, we are getting there by way of longsuffering. The Holman Bible Dictionary went straight to patience, but I did get some verses out of the Nave’s Topical Bible.
Let's Put It into Context
Diligence talks about being persistent. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines diligence as being a “steady, earnest, and energetic effort.”
Longsuffering is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship.” We know that patience is a virtue and a fruit of the Spirit.
What Is Longsuffering?
“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love” (II Cor. 6: 4-6 NKJV)
Croskery argues that longsuffering helps to control our anger and irritability. Oh, isn’t that an important tool to have when we are deal isn’t with difficult people?
How disciples react to perceived wrongs is critical. Romans 12: 17 says, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable” (NLT).
Being longsuffering means we are not provoked. Rather we exercise self-restraint in difficult situations.
Elements of Longsuffering
Meekness is one of the elements of longsuffering. Meekness is “a personality trait of gentleness and humility, the opposite of which is pride. Meekness does not refer to weakness or passivity but to controlled power.”
Courage is another element of longsuffering. Equated with boldness, courage is mentioned several times in the Bible. Here are two examples.
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1: 9 NKT).
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong” (I Cor. 16: 13 NLT).
Mercy and Longsuffering
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (I Tim. 1: 16 NKJV).
Croskery has an interesting take on First Timothy 1: 16. He wrote, “The mercy takes the form of long-suffering; for the Lord bore long with the ways of this fierce persecutor of the saints, when he might have cut his career short in judgment.”
Hmmm. Let me process this.
Mercy is the unexpected way God responds in love to our needs. So, Jesus through mercy exercised self-restraint so that we would not be provoked. Okay, I can go with that.
Suffering Through Trials
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4: 1-3 NKJV)
Paul went through a lot of trials while called to his ministry. We gave the long list in How Does Dedication Help Consistency?. Yep, Paul had to have dedication and longsuffering.
Paul rocked the title of prisoner of the Lord. There were so many attitudes Paul could have justifiably taken. But he led with the mindset of prisoner.
That title gave Paul’s readers the immediate visual of Paul’s life. They saw the lack of freedom, the hunger, the beatings, the cold …
But then they read Paul’s words. We read about a his joy in the Lord. We see the dedication he had — even when things were very less than ideal.
Yes, Paul had the mindset of prisoner — but not the attitude. He didn’t let the circumstances provoke him.
That is what longsuffering is about. The rough patches in our walk come up, but we keep putting one foot in front of the other. And we navigate them patiently and watching for God in all we go through.
Adeney called it walking worthily. We’ve already said that walking is used “… to signify a regulating and framing of the life after some certain manner, whether good or evil …” Disciples are to walk with “… purpose, strength,
God calls us and puts us on our walk. He grows us by taking us through the trials. That is how we transform our character to be more like Him.
We can’t forget what job duty #1 is. We are called to be living sacrifices. We are called to worship Him.
The Disciple’s Job Description
Complete Job Description
Individual Description
Job Duty #1
Be a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12: 1-2)
It isn’t about us and how smart and skillful we are in surviving whatever trials are thrown our way. It is about transforming us through the process of sanctification so that we may be righteous and holy.
Sanctification is the transformation of mind, body, and soul beginning with regeneration and ending with perfected state of spiritual wholeness or completeness. Righteousness is the result of a solid relationship with God built by a sincere life of obedience to God’s laws and commandments. Holy means set apart.
But look what else Adeney said. He wrote, “Belief and worship are not enough. The life and the whole work and daily occupation are to follow the Divine call.”
This isn’t a Sunday, Wednesday night, and any time the doors are open kind of deal. It is a 24/7/365 type of deal.
That is the consistency according to Adeney — making our walk fit our call. Our call is God’s Will.
Witnessing and Longsuffering
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (II Tim. 4: 2 NKJV)
Job duty #4 is to proclaim the gospel. We — even us non-preacher types — are to spread God’s Word to advance His kingdom.
The Disciple’s Job Description
Complete Job Description
Individual Description
Job Duty #4
Proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16: 15)
We don’t have to make up words. It is God’s Word. Yes, we may put it in our own words, and we may interpret it by what it means to us. But it is God’s Word.
Our job is to tell others so that they may be saved. We need to encourage them to admit their sins, believe on Jesus as the Son of God and as Redeemer, and confess God as Sovereign Lord.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Our words may be well received — they may not be. We may have to accomplish our witnessing through longsuffering. If those we are witnessing to want to get into a debate, we are not provoked.
As Statham wrote, “Remembering that humanity is frail and fallen, the preacher must be sympathetic, as himself needing mercy.” We have to remember that there is just one sin that God will not forgive — unbelief. We have to lead with God’s mercy.
Making the Connections
We are so programmed in today’s world to want — and expect — instant gratification. We want things fixed right now. We want our needs met right now.
To me, that is the polar opposite of longsuffering. The main reason is because longsuffering takes the focus off of us and puts it onto God.
To me, walking worthily and longsuffering go hand in hand. Our walk isn’t usually going to be a short sprint. It is going to be a long trek. If we don’t simmer down and focus on the long haul, we won’t get to the finish line.
Our walk is not going to be a stroll in the meadow. It is going to have a lot of hills and valleys with some major drop offs along the way.
Making the Connections to Self-Discipline
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3: 12 NKJV)
Ooo. Look what Colossians 3: 12 says. We can put on longsuffering — just like we out on the armor of God.
To read a related devotion in the Armor of God series, click the button below.
How Do We Apply This?
Byfield gave us three examples by which we could accomplish putting on longsuffering.
“I. IN JUDGMENT; when, in doubtful cases, we suspend our opinions and censures.
“II. IN WORDS; which consists either in not answering, or in giving soft answers.
“III. IN DEEDS; when we render not evil for evil.”
Oh, yeah. Not hard. (I hope you read sarcasm into that.)
Our opinions get tabled. Our answers get tabled. Our payback gets tabled.
Really hard for most of us.
But isn’t that what God calls us to? His opinions – His answers – His vengeance.
Oh, yes. That is so against worldview. But it is so Godview.
In How Does Dedication Help Consistency? we said perfection is accomplished by loving God and loving others. Longsuffering using Byfield’s suggestions goes a long way to helping that happen.
Lord, it is so easy to follow the worldview. Help us to follow Your will. In all we do, help us to be longsuffering. May we always follow Your opinions and Your answers. May we leave the vengeance to You. Amen.
What do you think?
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