"Three things are known to be true when it comes to renovation: it always takes longer than expected, it always cost more than expected and it always is messier than expected." Annie Chapman
Two things I would like to remind each of us this week are that we are to be long-suffering towards others, and just as important, we are to be long-suffering for ourselves as well. The Old Testament speaks of God be full of long-suffering (Exodus 34:6), meaning being patient and slow to anger. We, being made in His image are called to be the same way.
"But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." 2 Corintians 6:4-7
The Importance of Longsuffering:
Strongs defines long-suffering as patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance. In the 14 times that longsuffering is mentioned in the New Testament, it is paired up with characteristics of God's Holy Spirit like: Pureness, Knowledge, Kindness, Love, Joy, Peace, Gentleness, Faith, Lowliness, Meekness, Goodness, Humbleness of mind, Patience, and Mercy. It is not surprising, given this definition and with these associations, that Paul wrote these words:
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2
Ultimately, as with all characteristics of God's Holy Spirit, Love makes longsuffering possible. Each one of these characteristics we study build upon each other. This is the power that God has bestowed upon His children. This is why we can be good, loving, patient people. And it is because of this that without God, none of this is possible.
I heard Annie mention the above quote on Focus on the Family this afternoon (May 25th, 2012). Her comment was really focusing on Spiritual warfare and was suggesting that Romans 12:2 referring to us being transformed by the renewing of our mind, takes time. Her point was to simply state that just because you sincerely asked Jesus into your heart doesn't mean you will be a perfect Christian automatically.
Let me ask you a few questions to consider. After you had that salvation experience, after you said that prayer, and meant every word sincerely, after you gave all to Jesus in that moment, how were things afterwords? Did everything in the Bible seem clearly understood immediately? Did all your spiritual and mental struggles go away? Were you at peace with the world, your surroundings and all with whom you came into contact. Did you make all the right choices as if Christ was making them for you? Did your Tithe amount go up, haha?
Of course the answer to most of these questions aforementioned are a resounding NO. What we find is the Christian walk is not a magical event that poofs all our problems away. I personally remember many times wondering what was wrong with me because I said the sinner's prayer, gave my life to Jesus, said all the right things, did all the right actions. So why did I feel like nothing has changed? Because change takes time (Romans 2:7-8)(James 1:4)! Almighty God spoke the world into existence, but the world took time to mature, to evolve into what it is today. In fact, the world is still evolving, as are we. When we grasp this concept that God is doing a miraculous work in us, the more effective we will be for Him.
The Practical Application of longsuffering:
First, longsuffering, being patient and slow to anger, will fight impatient and unholy anger thoughts, either towards yourself or towards others. Because longsuffering depends on love and mercy, practicing longsuffering will, as a side bar, help grow those attributes too. Faith will also be a benefit, because as you practice patience, you will recognize God working in your life.
Back to Annie Chapman's comments. Romans 12:2a says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind". Being transformed will take time, as does all things that are worth doing. Once again, we see a need to be in God's word daily, and to be prayerfully minded constantly. This transformation of the mind takes place as we plant the Word of God there, and the Holy Spirit waters it with His understanding. These two things are what causes life everlasting, the topic of many parables that Christ taught, and all the writings of Paul and the other Apostles.
Our homework this week is simple, to continue in our daily personal devotions. Also, our practical exercise will be to show patience with others this week. Don't get frustrated with the kids not getting it when you try to explain something. Be gentle spirited towards your spouse or loved ones when they get frustrated towards you. AND DON'T HAVE A HOLIER THAN THOU ATTITUDE during these conflicts, haha. That is sooo easy to do. Don't! Having longsuffering towards others is based on a loving attitude towards them. We must convey that attitude to practice love mercy and longsuffering!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26
Here are a few verses to consider for this week's personal devotional time.
Psalm 86:15 Romans 12:10-12
Colossians 1:9-11 Colossians 3:12-13
1Timothy 1:16 2Timothy 3:16-17
2Peter 3:9,15
Ahhh longsuffering...now that's a hard one. A lot of the fruits of the spirit you can do easily if you put fourth some effort...but learning to be patient and gentle when you are clearly upset...now that takes constant help from God! Help this time and the next and the next.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct CSM. Of course there is more to it than I commented on here, but hopefully these short lessons will spur some on to dig deeper. This one, as you pointed out, is a great example that just because we said that all important prayer does not mean our world will be all better in an instant. Perfection takes time, and longsuffering helps us deal with that time lapse in ourselves as well as others.
ReplyDeleteGal 5.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Life Application Bible)
ReplyDelete(King James Version: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 5.23 Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.)
Hmm, I wonder if they dropped longsuffering because it’s archaic and replaced it with patience? In any case, what we are discussing is the Spiritual Warrior, and the Fruits of the Spirit (as opposed to the flesh?) are these virtues.
I like my Life Application Bible because of it’s footnotes. Here is what it has to say about this verse.
“The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (see John 15:4, 5). We must know him, love him remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbors. Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?
There is also a chart which is very interesting, entitled VICES AND VIRTUES
The Bible mentions many specific actions and attitudes that are either right or wrong. Look at the list included here. Are there a number of characteristics from the wrong column that are influencing you?
VICES: (Neglecting God and others), Sexual Immorality, Impurity, Lust, Hatred, Discord, Jealousy, Anger, Selfish ambition, Dissension, Arrogance, Envy, Murder, Idolatry, Witchcraft, Drunkenness, Wild living, Cheating, Adultery, Homosexuality, Greed, stealing, and Lying.
VIRTUES: (The by-products of living for God), Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.
Patience is one part of the definition of longsuffering according to Strong's concordance. And, we cannot get any of God's Holy Spirit within us without a relationship with him, aside from what He gave us at birth and by His Grace. We could not live without a measure of His Spirit, according to Genesis2:7, "And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul".
ReplyDeleteAlso, as interesting it is to gain some insight from the Application Bible, we must remember that it's notes are conceptual in spirit, that is to say they are written for the every day living of the scriptures. This resource, just like our blog here, makes suggestions for practical application, meaning it is not for doctrinal fortification. I enjoy reading the application Bible myself from time to to simply as light reading because it can give quick insight, and most of the time pretty good stuff.
As far as Virtue as meaning "Holy Spirit Characteristics" and not a specific fruit if you will, let us consider this. There are two words that are used as Virtue in the greek...
G1411 defined as 1) strength power, ability
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
This "virtue" is synonimous with the fruit of the Spirit of Might as we spoke of last week.
The second is Strong's G703 defined as
1) a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action
a) virtue, moral goodness
2) any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity
So, depending on the verse, and which Greek word is being used, it may or may not fit this usage as the list you referred to. The Application Bible may not take into consideration the historical and literal uses of the language as much as it gives general concepts and insights.
I hope this helps, and I didn't muddle the waters too much, haha.