Day 5—Longsuffering
Luke 23:26-43
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . longsuffering.—Gal. 5:22
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 Life Today, p. 52).
The love of Jesus needs to be brought to bear upon our lives. It will have a softening, subduing influence upon our hearts and characters. It will prompt us to forgive our brethren, even though they have done us injury. Divine love must flow from our hearts in gentle words and kindly actions to one another. The fruit of these good works will hang as rich clusters upon the vine of character. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”(Review and Herald, Nov. 16, 1886, par. 10). Try to live peaceably with all men, and let the atmosphere surrounding your soul be sweet and fragrant.
The Lord hears every unwise word that is spoken. If you will battle against selfish human nature, you will go forward steadily in the work of overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. By patience, long-suffering, and forbearance you will accomplish much. Remember that you cannot be humiliated by the unwise speeches of someone else, but that when you answer unwisely, you lose a victory that you might have gained. Be very careful of your words. Forbearance and unselfishness mark the words and deeds of those who are born again to live the new life in Christ (My Life Today, p. 52).
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Do you have the habit of taking revenge when someone does something wrong to you? How do you react when people treat you badly? Ask God to teach you to be longsuffering. Claim His promises.
2. Is there someone in your life that steps on your toes and does it purposefully? Ask God to give you patience, love, and forgiveness for that person and to help you show them His love.
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . longsuffering.—Gal. 5:22
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 Life Today, p. 52).
The love of Jesus needs to be brought to bear upon our lives. It will have a softening, subduing influence upon our hearts and characters. It will prompt us to forgive our brethren, even though they have done us injury. Divine love must flow from our hearts in gentle words and kindly actions to one another. The fruit of these good works will hang as rich clusters upon the vine of character. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”(Review and Herald, Nov. 16, 1886, par. 10). Try to live peaceably with all men, and let the atmosphere surrounding your soul be sweet and fragrant.
The Lord hears every unwise word that is spoken. If you will battle against selfish human nature, you will go forward steadily in the work of overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. By patience, long-suffering, and forbearance you will accomplish much. Remember that you cannot be humiliated by the unwise speeches of someone else, but that when you answer unwisely, you lose a victory that you might have gained. Be very careful of your words. Forbearance and unselfishness mark the words and deeds of those who are born again to live the new life in Christ (My Life Today, p. 52).
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Do you have the habit of taking revenge when someone does something wrong to you? How do you react when people treat you badly? Ask God to teach you to be longsuffering. Claim His promises.
2. Is there someone in your life that steps on your toes and does it purposefully? Ask God to give you patience, love, and forgiveness for that person and to help you show them His love.
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