“Walk with Longsuffering”
Ephesians 4:2-3
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Walk in Unity
1. Exhortation to walk worthy of our calling 1
2. Characteristics of a worthy walk 2-3
Walk worthy of your calling by…
“Walking with all humility”
“Walking with all gentleness”
“Walking with longsuffering”
This characteristic is also one of four found in the parallel letter to the Colossian Christians.
Longsuffering was not always demonstrated in the early New Testament church any more than it is today. I have had people express the longing to be like the New Testament Church.
I ask them, “Which one?” Corinth, Ephesus? Paul expended a lot of ink and parchment dealing with bitter disputes in the early churches. He even had to warn them not to bite and devour one another. Paul urged two prominent women in the Philippian church to get along with each other. Most of his letters deal with relational issues.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
God intended His church to live differently than “mere men”. He intended us to be people who live by the energy of the Holy Spirit rather than their fleshly impulses. Power to live this way comes from the Spirit’s empowerment. Paul prayed for that strengthening in Colossians.
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and longsuffering… Colossians 1:11
A life that reflects the wonder of our high and holy calling includes “longsuffering” along with all humility and gentleness. Some versions translate this Greek term with our English word “patience”.
It is translated from two Greek words.
“makros” = long or far and “thumos” = wrath, indignation, passion, anger
This calls us to demonstrate the changed life by being long tempered as opposed to short tempered. Trench, contrasting this word best translated “longsuffering” with hupomone (patience or endurance) says: “Longsuffering will be found to express patience with respect of persons. Hupomone is patience in respect of things. The man who is longsuffering, is he who, having to do with injurious persons, does not suffer himself easily to be provoked by them, or to blaze up in anger. The man who is patient (hupomone) is the one who under a great siege of trials, bears up and does not lose courage.”
Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Ex. 34:6, Rom. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:20. Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope, 1 Thess. 1:3; it is not used of God.”
God does not need patience with event and circumstances and temptation because He is beyond all that and controls all things. God does exercise longsuffering with stubborn, rebellious people. We are called to both stand up under trial (endure) and exercise restraint in our reaction to difficult people. This message will deal with longsuffering. God calls the citizens of His kingdom to restrain our anger, bitterness, irritation, indignation or retaliation in the face of provocation due to the actions or inaction of people.
It is fortunate for us that this is a characteristic of God.
"They (God’s people) refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86:15-17
Does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? Romans 9:21-22
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4
God’s present response to evil is kindness and forbearance.
Paul did not take this grace for granted.
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect longsuffering as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is longsuffering toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9
We are all in need of God’s longsuffering. If He were not longsuffering, we would all be in a world of hurt. Were it not for sin, there would be no need for longsuffering. Longsuffering presumes people doing things that cause us to react.
Humility will get us in the right frame of thinking. Considering the needs of others more important than our own.
Gentleness will cause us to consider who we should respond to people.
Longsuffering restrains an angry reaction or response to give time for God to do His redeeming work.
This is not a suggestion but a standing order among members of God’s family. The development of this response to difficult people constitutes a lifestyle worthy of our calling.
It assumes there is a need. No matter where we go, we will run into difficult people and actions that stir our emotion. Even if we isolate from everyone, we still have to live with our selves. Initially we have two choices. Proud short-tempered harsh response. Humble longsuffering gentle response.
One honors God and preserves the unity of the body of Christ. The other does severe damage to the reputation of the church and the Lord of the Church. This is a natural result of a Spirit directed and empowered life.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
The deeds of the flesh are…
enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Galatians 5:20
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:12-13
Out of appreciation for the longsuffering manifested to him by Jesus, Paul offered it to others.
Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:10-12
Suffering is inevitable even among fellow Christians, so longsuffering is indispensible.
He instructed Timothy to pack that among essential tools for ministry.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great longsuffering and instruction. 2 Tim 4:1-2
The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, longsuffering when wronged, 2 Tim 2:24
It is a key component of what it means to truly love.
Love is longsuffering, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 1 Corinthians 13:4
Not everyone deserves longsuffering.
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be longsuffering with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
Seeking that which is good for one another is the key. Who am I looking out for; me or others?
This character trait is addressed in the Old Testament wisdom book. Proverbs is a manual on life; especially in dealing with people.
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Proverbs 14:29-30
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Proverbs 15:18
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32
With longsuffering a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. Proverbs 25:15
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the longsuffering in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
James encouraged believers to longsuffering in the face of difficult circumstances and people.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. James 5:7-11
He urges them again to hope in God and entrust their “issues” to him while restraining personal retaliation and reaction. The first order of business is prayer. As with humility and gentleness, longsuffering is the result of a life submitted to the Lord and daily directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Paul offers some additional insight concerning the application of this instruction by including two additional participles (ing words).
Bearing with one another in love
Being diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace
“bearing with one another in love”
This is a present tense participle meaning we are expected to continually practice it.
Literally this means to “hold oneself up against”. Hold oneself up against difficult people.
Don’t fall, or cave. Hang in there. Put up with, bear with, endure, forebear.
Some translate this “tolerate”. I intentionally avoid this word because of its present day use and application. Tolerance in our culture means that I must view the beliefs of others with equal value. We must maintain the right of others to believe what they want, but we are not obligated to validate their beliefs.
In relation to people, God wants us to bear with one another out of love for them. This “bearing with” is not a decision to grit our teeth and put up with someone while resenting them or building up bitter feelings and resentment. Forbearance humbly, gently, bears with their weaknesses in the interest of demonstrating God’s love.
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
True forbearance is a manifestation of love. Notice in this passage forbearance is exercised toward each other. The problem in the church was they were continually bickering and mistreating each other. This was not a community that draws the attention of the world and sticks a thumb in the demonic world’s eye. That is why Satan works so hard stirring up resentment and anger among believers. God Himself has demonstrated forbearance all through human history.
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; Romans 3:25
God still puts up with sinful people today.
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Even though God is longsuffering, there will come a time when He must deal with evil.
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, Romans 2:4-5
Jesus “Put up with” the unbelieving perverted generation during His time on earth.
And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." Luke 9:41
Paul demonstrated “forbearance” in the face of continual opposition and mistreatment.
To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we forbear; when we are slandered, we try to reconcile; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 1 Corinthians 4:11-14
He calls all Christians to do the same.
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
In this parallel passage, Paul repeats some of the character qualities we have already covered along with a heart of compassion and kindness and then adds a third participle (ing word) amplifying what it means to demonstrate longsuffering; he adds “forgiving each other.”
Whoever has a complaint against anyone – forgive. That seems uncomfortably all-inclusive.
The motivation is the similar – we are the chosen holy and dearly loved community of God.
The foundation is the same – love for others.
The result is the same – unity and peace among family members.
Paul praised the Thessalonians for their forbearance under persecution.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you demonstrate longsuffering. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
The other qualifying characteristic of forbearance is an active preservation of peace among the members of the community.
“being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
This is another present tense participle indicating a continuous action. The word is translated diligence, do diligence, give diligence, labor, make every effort. What are we to earnestly strive to do? What are we to make every effort to accomplish? It is translated, “keep, reserve, observe, watch, guard. “Guard the unity of the body in the bond of peace.”
Jesus preached peace, made peace and established peace with God and each other by His selfless death on the cross. He sacrificed His life to make peace possible for a hostile, selfish people. God calls us do everything possible to preserve the earthly manifestation of that peaceful community. Paul told the Roman Christians …
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:18
This is the reason for “longsuffering”. Our purpose for withholding angry and negative reaction is the preservation of unity. The unity of the body is more important than my agenda, or my feelings or my agenda. Do we care more about our personal feelings than preserving unity in the body of Christ? I need to examine the reason for my irritation. Is it worth destroying unity in the body? What is more important? What is higher on my agenda? We will more fully address the topic of unity in the coming weeks. Peter summed up his rules for relationships.
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
• Let us determine to give a blessing instead of a blasting this week.
• Let us determine to become better not bitter.
• Let us practice forgiveness rather than proliferate frustration.
• Let us exercise compassion rather than express complaint.
• Let us live worthy of our high and holy calling by showing all humility and gentleness, with all longsuffering bearing with one another in love and working hard to guard the manifested unity of the body in the bond of peace that Jesus died to establish.
Longsuffering is the guardian of faith, the preserver of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humility. Longsuffering governs the flesh, strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride. It bridles the tongue, restrains the hand, tramples upon temptations, endures persecutions, and consummates martyrdom. Longsuffering produces unity in the church, loyalty in the state, harmony in families and societies. It comforts the poor and moderates the rich. It makes us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, unmoved by calamity and reproach. It teaches us to forgive those who have injured us, and to be the first in asking forgiveness of those whom we have injured; it delights the faithful, and invites the unbelieving; it adorns the woman, and approves the man: it is beautiful in either sex and every age. Longsuffering is clothed in the robes of the martyrs and in its hand it holds a scepter in the form of a cross. It rides not in the whirlwind and stormy tempest of passion; but its throne is the humble and contrite heart, and its kingdom is the kingdom of peace.
