22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. — John 15:4-5
Longsuffering
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The word “charity” is the Greek word agape which means love. Love is described by the Apostle Paul as the following.
- suffers long
- kind
- envies not
- does not brag
- is not puffed up
- does not behave out of order
- seeks not her
- not easily provoked
- thinks no evil
- rejoice not in iniquity
- rejoices in truth
- bears all thing
- believes all thing
- hopes all things
- endures all things
essence love is longsuffering bearing all things, believing all things, hopes all things and endures all things. It is the nature of Father to be longsuffering. It is the longsuffering nature of God that enables the love of God to spring forth abundantly. All of the qualities above are aspects of love. Love is truly longsuffering and suffers long. The fruit of the Spirit is love and the different dimensions of love. The love of God is benevolent which is to wish other people well. It is the nature of God to be benevolent. The acts of God are the acts of benevolence and the ways of God are benevolent. It is because God is so benevolent that He is longsuffering.
9 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
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. — Luke 2:10-14
God is longsuffering toward us and does not will that any of us perish for He has good will toward all men. If God is so loving and longsuffering toward us what should we be to each other. God has not called us to love in theory, but in truth and reality with our actions, not just with words. Longsuffering is demonstrated, Christ came to demonstrate and teach us the ways of the Father.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. — Matthew 5:38-42
Turning the other cheek and going the extra mile are hallmarks of love demonstrated. Giving to them who cannot repay you is the divine nature activated. Longsuffering is in the DNA of the Father and if we will be His sons we to will be longsuffering.
Gentleness
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, — Galatians 5:22
The word “gentleness” is the Greek word chrestotes which means kindness. One of the chief traits of Christ is kindness. Everywhere He went when He was on earth He showed kindness. The way He interacted with sinners and way He healed all that were sick. The very yoke of Christ is kindness.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. — Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus made an appeal to the crowd that day an invitation for those who labored and were heavy laden to come to Him and He would give them rest. He invited them to take His yoke and learn of Him, the meek and lowly one. For in Him they would find rest for there souls for He said His yoke was easy and His burden light. The word “easy” is the Greek word chrestos which means to be kind. Jesus was telling them and us that His yoke is kindness. One of ways life becomes burdensome and heavy is the lack of kindness in our hearts.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. — Luke 6:35-36
The children of the Highest are called to kind and merciful. We are show compassion, to love, do good and lend hoping for nothing in return. Showing kindness is light and easy for the one who shows it and for the one who receives it. Christ is kind and so are His followers. God reveals His kindness to us through His Son Christ Jesus.
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. — Ephesians 2:7
Goodness
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. — Matthew 19:17
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. — Galatians 5:18
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. — Romans 8:1-4
One day as Jesus was ministering a wealthy young man with great influence came Him with a question “Good Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?”. Jesus first response was ask a question of the young man why did He call Him good because only God was good. He then told the wealthy young man that if he kept the commandments he could inherit eternal life. But we have all learned that we can not keep the commandments of God in our own selves. It is only by the power of God. It is only by walking after the Spirit that we fulfil the righteous that the law demands. Only God is good but He imparts to us His goodness through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of life in Christ makes us free from the law of sin and death. The Spirit imparts the mind and attitude of Christ who has the mind and attitude of God.