On Longsuffering

As I contemplate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), one of the ones that I see myself standing most in need of is "longsuffering." The reason I should be longsuffering is that the Lord is a "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Psalm 86:15).

What is longsuffering? The original word in the Greek is macro-thumos which means to literally to be "long-angered"; in other words, to have a long fuse. In his book Quest for Character John MacArthur writes, "Longsuffering is a particular kind of patient, gentle, persevering self-control that especially comes into play in our dealings with people who deliberately try to provoke us." All of us can think of a person or two in our life who we have to practice longsuffering toward in a very deliberate and conscientious way.

Later, MacArthur remarks, " Love's longsuffering is expressed in a patient willingness to bear any inconvenience or sacrifice for the sake of our loved one without becoming angry or upset." The servant of the Lord must practice longsuffering (2 Timothy 2:24-26) with those who are opposed to the gospel. This calls for great care, but the greatest test of longsuffering most of us face is with those we come in contact with on a daily or regular basis.

This kind of longsuffering runs with kindness! It refuses to envy, be rude, boast, or think evil. This is a tall order but praise God it is possible as we "we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

A fresh look at the cross reminds us of the grace to exercise longsuffering. It comes from the believer's bridegroom, Jesus Christ Himself, who "also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:21-23).