In last week’s meditation we saw that longsuffering is an attribute of God Himself; today we are looking at His purpose for it to become an attribute of we His children as well. Synonyms for longsuffering include such things as forgiving, resigned, tolerant, accommodating, patient, and selfless. Since this is a fruit of the Holy Spirit implanted within us at the New Birth we should now manifest it toward others as God manifested it toward us! Just as the seed of the parent is planted within the child at conception yet the child needs to be nurtured, taught, cultivated and disciplined to bring it to full maturity; likewise God has planted His seed within us at the New Birth, (1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9) but we must cultivate, nourish, and yes even discipline ourselves to bring it to maturity! Also God planted the first recorded garden in Genesis 2:8 with the produce of the earth “yielding seed” in Genesis 1:11-12 but the seed was not to be left on its own; Adam was put in the garden “to tend and to keep it” meaning to work, serve or till it and to hedge about, guard, protect and attend to it, Genesis 2:15. So He plants His seed in us but we must implement it! In Colossians 3 the Apostle is laying out guidelines for the Christian life, and in verse 12 he lists longsuffering as one of the things we are to put on. Colossians 4:1-2 says “…walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” Yes “bite your tongue” if you need to and refrain from telling that one off that “rubbed you the wrong way”; be tolerant and patient with the one that seems to always do the wrong thing and get in trouble or “ticks you off”. No, I did not say you approve of their deeds, but you accommodate them in Christian love and longsuffering! Don’t expect the Holy Spirit to do what He has empowered you to do! “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” John 15:8.
God’s way
By Rose Hill (see Romans 12:20)
If someone continues to do you wrong,
And from it you have suffered long.
Choose God’s way, to love and forgive,
Then in this fruit of the Spirit you can live.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.