“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23.
What does longsuffering mean? According to Strong’s concordance it means forbearance, patience. According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, “Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.”
Moses asked God, “Please show me Your glory” (Ex. 33:18). When God made known to Moses His goodness, as recorded in Exod. 34:6, 7, longsuffering was third in the list of character traits of God. Then Paul lists it as one of the fruit of the Spirit as recorded above (Gal. 5:22).
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth,’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
Did you notice that 1 Peter 2:21 talks about an example Jesus left us? Verses 22 & 23 tell us what that example is: He committed no sin, He was not deceitful, when he was reviled He did not revile in return, etc. Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:11, 12) that when we are reviled and persecuted we are to rejoice and be exceeding glad. As we discussed in a previous devotional, the prime example I think of when Jesus was reviled and did not revile in return was His last few days before His crucifixion—Gethsemane, trial and crucifixion. But rather He prayed that His Father would forgive his executioners.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Col. 3:12, 13
Here is another admonition for us to do as Jesus did—in the case, forgiveness. You can read more about that in Matt. 6:14, 15.
Let’s look at a couple more scriptures that deal with our topic of the day—longsuffering.
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Tim 4:2
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet 3:9
Let me close with a couple paragraphs from My Life Today, pg. 52:
“Love is the law of Christ’s kingdom. The Lord calls upon every one to reach a high standard. The lives of His people are to reveal love, meekness, long-suffering. Long-suffering bears something, yea, many things, without seeking to be avenged by word or act.
“’Long-suffering’” is patience with offence; long endurance. If you are long-suffering, you will not impart to others your supposed knowledge of your brother’s mistakes and errors. You will seek to help and save him, because he has been purchased with the blood of Christ. ‘Tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.’ ‘Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.’ To be long-suffering is not to be gloomy and sad, sour and hardhearted; it is to be exactly the opposite.
My Father, Help me to practice longsuffering (patience) today as You have done for me—not willing that I should perish.
