Hold The Door Please!

By Pastor Doug Cox

Today we will learn about longsuffering and patience. I know this is not a popular subject but please read to the end. This article might help you especially if you are like me. It seems that almost every time I hear a message about patience, it isn’t long until there is a test of my patience. Could it be that some powerful spiritual things can happen when we display the fruit of patience?

In Galatians 5:22-23 we find a list of the fruit of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… (NKJV).” Notice the word longsuffering. Many translations use the word patience instead. It is because they are interchangeable, but to me longsuffering better describes how I feel sometimes when it comes time to exercising patience.

There are two Greek words translated patience in the New Testament. One is hupomonē. It means to bear up under a burden, to be steadfast in difficult circumstances. The second word is makrothumia, and is the one used in Galatians 5:22 for longsuffering. It is a compound word made up of makros which means long and thumos which is passion or temper meaning to hold your temper and passions for a long time.

Controlling your temper especially in what seems to be explosive situations is a wonderful example of Christ working in you. Losing it is a sign of weakness. It is an act of yielding to self. Being longsuffering is not always ‘a fun thing to do’ but it is always the right thing to do. Being a person of long suffering is a sign that you are walking by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.”

The apostle Paul in Romans 2:4 talks about God’s longsuffering. He says “… do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Think about that. It is because of God’s willingness to have patience with us that we have opportunity to receive mercy and partake of His riches and goodness. I’m embarrassed to think that over the years more times than I can count, God has had to wait on me to get in line with His will. I’m so thankful for His patience and willingness to hold the door.

The apostle Peter highlights the Lord’s patience and longsuffering in the days of Noah. His call was for everyone to repent and “… the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.” (1 Peter 3:20)

How sad is it that people (even us) can easily ignore God. The population of the earth during Noah’s time is said to have been anywhere from 20 million to 10 billion people. That’s a lot of people either way and the Lord gave them all 120 years to repent. That’s a long time to hold the door of salvation open. Sadly, only eight souls realized the goodness of God and were saved.

In closing here are some things to think about next time you are challenged to be longsuffering. First remember that God has been longsuffering with you. Be thankful He was.

Second. Remember that in that situation where longsuffering is needed, God is at work doing something. It could be that He’s working on you. And He could be working on someone else. Don’t mess it up by complaining and getting out of sorts. James 5:8 tells us to “… be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

Prayer – Holy Spirit, help me be good door holder.