The love of Jesus is the fruit born by the Holy Spirit that gives birth to its graces, which are joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. In Testimonies, vol. 2, 134 and 135, the following is recorded: “Mildness, gentleness, forbearance, longsuffering, being not easily provoked, bearing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things—these are the fruit growing upon the precious tree of love, which is of heavenly growth.”
It is through the Holy Spirit that Christ dwells in and with the believer making it possible for him or her to possess this fruit. This is made evident in these statements: “The Lord Jesus acts through the Holy Spirit; for it is His representative. Through it He infuses spiritual life into the soul, quickening its energies for good, cleansing it from moral defilement, and giving it a fitness for His kingdom.” Sons and Daughters of God, 282.
On the same page we also read, “Never will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God. The Spirit conforms the renewed soul to the model, Jesus Christ. Through the influence of the Spirit, enmity against God is changed into faith and love, and pride into humility. The soul perceives the beauty of truth, and Christ is honored in excellence and perfection of character.” Ibid.
In the same book is recorded these precious words: “By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin.
“The powers of darkness stand a poor chance against believers who love one another as Christ has loved them, who refuse to create alienation and strife, who stand together, who are kind, courteous, and tender-hearted, cherishing the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. We must have the Spirit of Christ, or we are none of His.” Ibid., 286.
“Love is the tie that binds our hearts to God as our father; joy is the glad emotion that springs up after our reconciliation with God; peace is the summer calm that settles down upon the soul that has entered into its rest. Love has been called the foundation of the fabric; joy, the superstructure; peace, the crown of the work. Love has a primary place, for it is ‘shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost’ [Romans 5:5]. Joy is dependent upon love, and may well be called ‘joy of the Holy Ghost’ [1 Thessalonians 1:6, last part]. It is enshrined in the very heart of love. It rises and falls, with love itself, like the thin thread of mercury in the thermometer, by the action of the surrounding atmosphere. Pieces linked with joy ‘in believing’ [Romans 15:13]. Peace and joy are the two ingredients of the kingdom of God. It is ‘the peace to which we are called in one body’ [Colossians 3:15], which will keep our hearts and minds in the midst of all worldly agitations.” Pulpit Commentary, vol. 20, Edited by Joseph Exell and H. D. M. Spence, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts, 1985, 275.
Let us look at the fruit of longsuffering that grows on the tree of love.
By definition longsuffering in Greek is – mak-ro-thuma, which is forbearance, patience, longsuffering (macros – long and thumos – temper); patience is also a synonym.
William Barclay states, “Makrothumia, this is a great word. The writer of First Maccabees says that it was by makrothumia that the Romans became masters of the world, and by that he means the Roman persistence, which would never make peace with an enemy even in defeat, a kind of conquering patience. Generally speaking the word is not used of patience in regard to things or events but in regard to people. Chysostom said that it is the grace of the man who could revenge himself and does not, the man who is slow to wrath. The most illuminating thing about it is that it is commonly used in the New Testament of the attitude of God towards men. If God had been a man, He would have wiped out this world long ago; but He has that patience which bears with all our sinning … . In our dealings with our fellowmen we must reproduce this loving, forbearing, forgiving, patience attitude of God towards ourselves.” The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, William Barclay, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY, 2002, 50, 51.
“Longsuffering 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 longsuffering, 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.” My Life Today, 52. “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20.
Robert South, the English poet who lived from 1634 to 1716, penned these memorable words on forbearance: “It is a noble and great thing to cover the blemishes and excuse the failings of a friend; to draw a curtain before his stains, and display his perfection; to bury his weaknesses in silence, but to proclaim his virtues on a house-top.” The New Dictionary of Thoughts, Tyron Edwards; C.N. Catrevas, Standard Book Company, New York, 1955, 216.
Longsuffering or forbearance is of divine origin: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22.
“Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” Isaiah 27:5.
“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7:18.
“And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Exodus 34:6.
“Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4.
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15.
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, as used of God.
Longsuffering—Two Areas
- Man’s longsuffering toward his fellowmen
- God’s longsuffering toward sinners
I will address only number one:
Man’s Longsuffering Toward His Fellowmen
The great apostle Paul admonishing the Ephesian Christians wrote, “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.” Ephesians 4:1, 2.
In his epistle to the Colossian Christians he tells us how to display longsuffering: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:10, 11.
It is impossible to have longsuffering without first experiencing joy in the Holy Spirit! Paul shows to the Colossians that love or charity is the fundamental element necessary in the life of the Christian to experience longsuffering and to exercise it to others. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12–14.
The apostle describes the reason for mercy being shown to him by Jesus Christ: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:15, 16.
In our effort to point lost humanity to Christ, Paul counsels us to do it with much longsuffering: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
II Timothy 4:2.
Forbearance or longsuffering MUST be cultivated in the home!
“If we are courteous and gentle at home, we shall carry the savor of a pleasant disposition when away from home. If we manifest forbearance, patience, meekness, and fortitude in the home, we shall be able to be a light to the world.” The Adventist Home, 429.
“We can manifest a thousand little attentions in friendly words and pleasant looks, which will be reflected upon us again. Thoughtless Christians manifest by their neglect of others that they are not in union with Christ. It is impossible to be in union with Christ and yet be unkind to others and forgetful of their rights.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 539.
“Those who profess to be followers of Christ and are at the same time rough, unkind, and uncourteous in words and deportment have not learned of Jesus.” The Adventist Home, 427.
Parents should set examples of forbearance or longsuffering.
“Parents should so conduct themselves that their lives will be a daily lesson of self-control and forbearance to their household.” Temperance, 180.
In counseling a wife and husband who were members of the church, Ellen White instructed them concerning the will of God for them. “You should cultivate the charity and longsuffering of Christ. By a watchful, suspicious spirit in regard to the motives and conduct of others, you frequently counteract the good you have done. You are cherishing a feeling that is chilling in its influence, that repulses, but does not attract and win. You must be willing to become as yielding and forbearing in your disposition as you desire others to be. Selfish love of your own opinions and ways will, in a great measure, destroy your power to do the good you are desirous of doing.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 61.
Here is where many Christians fail when wrong is done to them; they fail to show even an ounce of longsuffering or forbearance, but listen to this statement found in the book, The Ministry of Healing, 487: “So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co-workers with Him. Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory.”
There is a terrible misunderstanding that many Christians hold to concerning the attitude toward the erring one. They say that kindness and longsuffering should never cease toward the erring in the church. Is this the attitude to be displayed towards those who willfully continue in transgression and sin?
Counsel is given to us concerning this matter: “To hate and reprove sin, and at the same time to show pity and tenderness for the sinner, is a difficult attainment. The more earnest our own efforts to attain to holiness of heart and life, the more acute will be our perception of sin and the more decided our disapproval of any deviation from the right. We must guard against undue severity toward the wrongdoer, but we must also be careful not to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. There is need of showing Christlike patience and love for the erring one, but there is also danger of showing so great toleration for his error that he will look upon himself as undeserving of reproof, and will reject it as uncalled for and unjust.
“Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns, and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. He who has blunted his spiritual perceptions by sinful leniency toward those whom God condemns, will erelong commit a greater sin by severity and harshness toward those whom God approves.” The Acts of the Apostles, 504.
The English orator and statesman Edmund Burke emphatically declares: “There is a limit at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue.” Edwards, 216.
In Prophets and Kings, 236, Ellen White states, “Even kindness should have its limits.”
There will always be those members in the church who will disregard the words of God. Therefore, it is felt that they should be disassociated from the church and no forbearance be shown. Paul instructed the Thessalonian Christians: “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” II Thessalonians 3:14, 15.
Paul counsels the brother to note or mark those who willfully disregard the word of God and have no company, association, or mix up together with them. But those who are marked must not be treated as an enemy; forbearance must be shown with the hope that they will repent.
The Scriptures declare, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30. We have established that a divine element of the Holy Spirit is longsuffering, yet the Holy Scriptures declare that the Holy Spirit can be grieved to the point that He gives up on a sinner. You see, the words “grieve not” can be rightly translated “stop grieving the Holy Spirit.” This clearly shows an ongoing practice, a habitual attitude in spite of much counsel, pleading, advice and expressions of love.
No wonder David prayed, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalm 51: 11.
So then if the Holy Spirit can be grieved to the point of giving up on a sinner, it stands true therefore that once a person is under the control of the Holy Spirit in spite of how much love there be for sinners and unrepentant human beings, that person has got to let go or cease showing forbearance and say, in the words of the prophet Hosea, “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Hosea 4:17.
Today the call comes to each and everyone: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 Amen!
Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.