Fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering

I. Introduction:

II. Text:

III. Defined

A. Longsuffering is an archaic word that means to allow something, typically an offense, to go on for a long time without retaliation.

B. Many translations render this patience.

C. C. Trench: “Biblical patience is a God-exercised, or God-given, restraint in face of opposition or oppression. It is not passivity. The initiative lies with God’s love, or the Christian’s, in meeting wrong in this way…‘a long holding out of the mind’ before it gives room to anger. Such patience is characteristic of God’s dealings with sinful men, who are fully deserving of his wrath.” Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. (1996). New Bible dictionary (3rd ed. /) (Page 873). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter Varsity Press.”

D. When we put on longsuffering, as Paul told the Colossians to do in Colossians 3:2, we are putting on a characteristic of God.

IV. God is longsuffering towards humanity

A. Though man rebels against God, God withholds punishment to give man an opportunity to repent, Romans 2:1-11

B. Noah’s example

C. Genesis 6:5-8 – Opportunity for man amid God’s displeasure Genesis 6:12-13a; 17-18 – Plan for Noah’s salvation1 Peter 3:20 – Longsuffering of God allowed Noah’s family to be saved2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah a preacher of righteousness; did he preach to an unconcerned world?

D. Paul’s example

E. Paul was an enemy of the church, Acts 26:9-11.1 Timothy 1:12-16 - Though a persecutor, God allowed Paul time to repent.

F. God is still longsuffering towards humanity, 2 Peter 3:1-13

G. God has promised that He will come again to destroy the world and to judge humanity. Scoffers mock and ask when God is coming since it has been so long since the promise was made. They forget the destruction God brought on humanity with the flood. God accomplished His will in His own time. God’s delay is an opportunity for salvation. However, His patience will end and the opportunity for salvation will be gone We must always be prepared to meet God.

V. Our patience

A. Patient with enemies

B. Matthew 5:43-48

C. God sends the sunshine and rain on the good and the evil. God sent Jesus to die to save His enemies, Romans 5:8

D. We are to be perfect as God is perfect

E. Just as God is loving and patient towards His enemies, we are to be loving and patient towards our enemies. It is easy to love those who love us but to be like God, we must be patient to those who curse, hate, spitefully use, and persecute us.

F. Parable of the Debtors

G. Matthew 18:21-35 God has forgiven us so much; can we not be rich in forgiveness towards our brethren and our families? God is patient with us when we sin against Him; we must be patient with others when they sin against us. We must be less concerned with what we perceive are our rights and more concerned with the salvation of others.

H. We must be longsuffering with the weak

I. Jesus was longsuffering with the apostles

J. They often misunderstood what He was saying, put the emphasis on the wrong things, disappointed Him, and ran when He was arrested. However, Jesus’ patience had its reward when the apostles became strong, wise, and bold messengers of the gospel throughout the world. We cannot expect the young in faith to have the wise judgment and scriptural knowledge of those more mature in the faith. Those who are mature must teach the week with meekness and love.

K. Parents must be longsuffering with children

L. It takes children much longer to do things that adults can do. However, children will not learn if we do things for them instead of patiently allowing them to do things; helping only when we are asked. We must teach our young people how to make decisions then be patient as they implement what we have taught; they will make mistakes as we did but we can provide guidance

VI. How do we develop longsuffering

A. Ephesians 4:1-3

B. Remember that we are Christians

C. We must pattern our lives after Christ who was meek and lowly. We must remember that our lives reflect our calling to the world.

D. Bear with one another in

E. Lowliness – Philippians 2:1-4

F. Gentleness

G. 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 – As a nursing mother2 Timothy 2:24-25 – Not quarrelsome Love – we cannot hate our brethren and claim love for God

H. A desire for peace

I. Last week’s definition When we desire harmony among others we will not be impatient.

J. Realize how much we need to grow and how patient others are with us