HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

THE FRUIT OF LONGSUFFERING

The fruit of longsuffering is the ability to have patience in spite of what is going on. It is to have patience through your trials, and through getting hurt by others. Through every encounter with humankind, since the book of Genesis, God has been longsuffering and forgiving.  He has provided our guidelines for living, watched as we sinned and broke his laws, taken centuries to repent and then went through it all over again.

Remember that every good and perfect gift comes from God, who gives us the ability to be patient.  When we serve Him by showing our patience, He receives the glory.  When His love moves through us as we show that patience, we are becoming more refined to help us mature spiritually.

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3-4

Longsuffering is also included in the scriptures in love from 1 Corinthians chapter 13.  Of course, we must have patience when living with love in our lives. It is important to have the patience to wait for that person who hurt you to make things right with the Lord and with you.  Forgiveness is essential as well.  Just as Christ forgave you, you must be longsuffering and forgiving of 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. Colossians 3:12-13

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1 Corinthians 13:4