Daily Devotional

Word of the Day

The Quality of Endurance

The one thing that hinders the process of bringing forth fruit in the Body, as it's being perfected, compacted together and edified into the fullness of the stature of Christ, is the lack of biblical forbearance. Forbearance is the expression of the love of God, the fruit of the Spirit, in each of our lives. "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbear one another in love" (Eph. 4:2). The word "forbear" means "to endure." The fruit of love in our midst is the quality of endurance. We endure the process of growth in one another's lives in the right spirit of kindness and tender heartedness. We don't just put up with them or despise where they are. We're to be touched with the feelings of their infirmities. Do we have a tender heart for the hurts and struggles of our brothers and sisters? Many of us get frustrated with the dynamics of spiritual birth pangs as they're being conformed into the image of Jesus. It interferes with our schedule, but we need to realize that we're called into that type of a forbearing spirit.

The word "forbear" means "to endure, to hold up, or lift up." Lift up the hands of those that are hanging down (Heb. 12:12). Forbearance is not putting up with them, but being there for them and helping them through this time. As we mature and help them, the Scripture says we're to comfort with the same comfort wherewith we've been comforted (2 Cor. 1:4). In other words, as we've had success in this process, we can begin to help others by identifying what they're going through. Since we've been there, we can say to them, "God's grace is sufficient. Cast your care on Him; He cares for you. Endure to the end; you'll be made whole."

Endurance isn't tolerating each other, but involving ourselves to help fine tune one another's lives and motives. The endurance process means that we're ready to suffer long and become a part of the process. We don't stand by, watch them struggle, and put up with all of their immaturity and nonsense. We speak into their lives and give them counsel, reproof and instruction. There will be times when you need to let them know that somebody cares. It's like the parent, after praying with their frightened little child, saying, "Now, honey, it's okay. Don't you remember? Jesus said He would always be here and never leave you nor forsake you." The little child says, "Yes, I know, but can someone stay here that has skin?" Sometimes we need someone with skin.

The Scripture says we're to forbear one another with a lowly spirit and meekness, enduring one another, holding up one another in love (Eph. 4:2). Endurance sees what God is doing and rejoices in the pruning process. Have you ever thought about how high a calling that is to be an instrument in the pruning process of God? What a privilege it is to be used to represent the love of God and speak life into someone around you.

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