Longsuffering

Longsuffering

God is longsuffering. Ps. 86:15. We are also exhorted to be longsuffering. 1 Thess. 5:14; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12.

It takes longsuffering to bear with one another. Without longsuffering there will be slander, strife, and arguments.

Longsuffering is in its effect different from patience. Whereas patience is exercised by us, longsuffering is exercised with regard to others. As with any other aspect of divine nature, so also with longsuffering: a death has to occur in our flesh so that we can put it on. In this way, it has an inwardly purifying effect on us, whereas the outward effect is to be longsuffering with others.

Longsuffering is the opposite of haughtiness. The haughty person cannot bear with other people’s mistakes and weaknesses, but the longsuffering person is not only forbearing with the other person’s weaknesses, he also forgives the bad person’s folly. He also entertains hope for his salvation and transformation even though the evil may be rather deeply ingrained and widespread and persistent. The more we put on longsuffering, the more we die to haughtiness in our flesh, and the more we are set free from sin so we can help, comfort, and benefit others. If I am to serve others, I must bear with their folly and put on longsuffering. Consequently, all the Lord’s servants must be longsuffering and increase in it. Longsuffering is akin to humility—being lowly in one’s own estimation.

Longsuffering is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22. We obtain it through faith and obedience. God’s longsuffering is for our salvation; He is infinitely forbearing with us. When we regret having sinned and hate ourselves, He works with us until we are saved, step by step. In this way our longsuffering is also for other people’s salvation.

“He who is slow to wrath [longsuffering] has great understanding . . . .” Prov. 14:29. “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger [longsuffering] . . . .” Prov. 19:11.

Thus we understand that to be longsuffering is possible for the person who has obtained much spiritual understanding and discretion by the leading of God’s Spirit. And other people can learn from him to be longsuffering. 2 Tim. 3:10.