Coram Deo

Long-suffering and Gratitude

By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:35  Jesus tells us that it is our love that marks us as His disciples.  And what does that love look like?  Well, one thing we are told in 1 Cor. 13:4 is that love is longsuffering and kind.  I've read that many times, but Scott Brown shared some great thoughts by Jonathan Edwards that really put it in perspective. 

He gives a list the kinds of offenses we should expect “unfairness, dishonesty, taking advantage, unfaithfulness, not fulfilling promises, asking unreasonable prices, neglecting to pay debts, unnecessarily putting neighbors in trouble. He says the worst and most common are “Some injure others in their good name, by reproaching or speaking evil behind their backs.. spreading false reports, misrepresent things, exaggerating faults, dislike or even hatred.” P61-62

I have been on the receiving end of many of these things, but I can't say that I often expected it.  Though I should have.  Not because we should expect the worst in people, but because we should expect the opportunity to show ourselves His disciples.  And we should be grateful for it.  Because it is not loving those who are kind and loving to me that shows Christ in me.  That is not long-suffering.  When we are told that love is long-suffering, we are being told that others will hurt us.  Often intentionally. And we are to respond with patience and humility, with love.  How easy it is for me to get angry, to feel offended and self-rightous.  How quick I am to forget the awful offense of my sin before my Heavenly Father, my absolute unworthiness, and His love and long-suffering for me.

What does it look like to be long-suffering?

Edwards goes on to say, "when the injuries we suffer are allowed to disturb our calmness of mind, and put us into an excitement and tumult, then we cease to bear them in the true spirit of long-suffering. If the injury is permitted to discompose and disquiet us, and to break up our inward rest, we cannot enjoy ourselves and are not in a state to engage properly in our various duties”. P67

When they disturb our calmness of mind.  Wow.  Like water off a ducks back should be the offenses against me.  And really, what is there to be upset about?  I am saved!  I am a daughter of the King, plucked from the darkness and set in the light.  Utterly undeserving, for there is no good in me but Christ.  I am completely capable of the basest of sins, it is only because God in His mercy has renewed my heart and mind that I can even contemplate long-suffering with joy.  So perhaps the key to long-suffering is gratitude.  For when our hearts are full of gratitude, there is no room for self-rightousness.