The Fruit of the Spirit, Longsuffering,

Longsuffering,

Having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

Now many feel that Longsuffering means “suffering long.” That is a good answer, but that is not a totally true or the correct definition. The word Longsuffering in the Bible is made up of two Greek words makros, meaning “long,” and thumos meaning “temper,” literally, “long-tempered.” To be Longsuffering, then, is to have self restraint when one is stirred to anger. A Longsuffering Person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. Longsuffering is associated with Mercy and Hope.

If you want the true definition of Longsuffering, that is easy to understand, how many of you are a Parent? Yup. Ask a Mother or Father, who love their Children more than life itself, with unruly Children. There is a joke that God makes Babies and Young Kids SO VERY CUTE, just so you will not kill them. Again, that is a joke. I have THREE. They do not always want to listen. They sometimes just chose to do whatever they want. And, sometimes, it can be difficult to remember just how cute they are...

God is the same way. We made Him so angry that He DID wipe out the entire planet. If Noah did not find favor in the Lord, we may have looked vastly different today..But Noah did. God spared Noah and his Family. Then God made a Promise to Noah, that He would never again destroy all His Creation. Hence, the whole reason we have a Rainbow.

In the beginning, it was simple. Eat and do whatever you want, just do not eat of this ONE Tree. We did. Then Cain slew Abel. Then Angels and Human Women were mating, Homosexuality, and all other diverse Sins filled the Land. God wiped us out. Then spared us through Noah. Then, found we were STILL continually Evil. So He sent us His Law. Prophets. Then, when all else failed, He came Himself.

He came to allow us to abuse Him, and to Murder Him. He came to pay the final Price for ALL to be Saved.

"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." {1 Peter 3:14-22}

Oh, by the way, did you know that Jesus appeared to Moses? Seriously...

"And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, Longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation"{Exodus 34:5-7}

This is how it works. Why do you think that Jesus told us that this is the way it will end as well..

"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." {Mark 13:26}

But God is Patient He is so very Patient that some have fallen to believe that He is NOT coming back. Some have forgotten that He wants ALL to be Saved. But this means He has to tolerate the Evil until such a time. Peter puts it this way..

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." {2 Peter 3:9}

Now notice this. Highlight it. Underline it. Memorize it. The next time that someone comes to you and says that Christianity is Close Minded, and too exclusive, or say something to the effect that "They have been saying Jesus is coming back for hundreds of years," quote them this."The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

But be well advised, He will not wait forever. The time IS coming. But this is how Patient God is. He is hoping that His Creation turns back to Him. As many as possible. You know, someone asked me once, what is the point? They were serious. If God is all and sees all, and God knows what is coming, then why would he wait? Does He not already know who will accept and who will perish? My honest opinion? Yup. But He may be waiting for someone who is yet to come. Anyway, things are ALWAYS in His Time for His reasons. Just be thankful that YOU were giving the time and opportunity to accept Jesus yourself..

But this is the Love God has for us. That HE is Longsuffering towards us. That His Mercy is great towards us. That He is Patient towards us.

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." {2 Peter 3:15-16}

Think about you. What is it that you have done in your life? Be honest. I'm not asking you to stand and tell everyone. Just be Honest with yourself. You know you do not deserve forgiveness. You know you do not deserve Salvation. Have you lived your Life in such a way, that it would Justify Jesus being stripped, beating, and murdered? Has your life been so perfect that Jesus SHOULD have died for you?

Truth is, you are a horrible person. Born into Sin. The thoughts and actions of your Heart is Evil continually. The things you have does are despicable. You are disgusting. A Wretch. YOU are Evil. Jesus came to Earth and Died FOR you, while you were yet a Sinner and Wretch.

Why is God so Patient? Well, Jesus gave us this Parable

"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.

So the servants of the owner came and said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? He said to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Do you want us then to go and gather them up? But he said, No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." {Matthew 13:24-30}

As the Word also declares, the Sun Rises on the Just and Unjust, and the Rain falls on the Just and the Unjust. We live together. This is why we are also told that now, as Children of God, we are to be IN the World, but not OF it. This is why God made the way so simple for all to understand..

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." {Romans 10:9-13}

The Lord our God is Longsuffering towards us, because He is NOT, some old man, with a long beard, sitting on a throne, waiting for us to slip up so He can send us to Hell and everlasting Torment. He is Longsuffering towards us because He is, "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..