The fruit of the Spirit is…longsuffering
William MacDonald teaches that longsuffering, a key fruit of the Spirit, calls believers to merciful endurance and conquering patience in the face of life's provocations, reflecting God's own patience with humanity.
In this insightful sermon, William MacDonald explores the fruit of the Spirit known as longsuffering, emphasizing its significance as merciful endurance amidst life's challenges and interpersonal provocations. He highlights God's patient dealings with humanity and encourages believers to embody this virtue through the power of the Holy Spirit. Using the inspiring example of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, MacDonald illustrates how longsuffering is a practical and transformative Christian virtue.
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“The fruit of the Spirit is…longsuffering…” (Gal. 5:22)
Longsuffering is the virtue that bears up patiently and even triumphantly under the aggravations of life. While it may refer to a patient response to adverse circumstances, it usually refers to a merciful endurance of the provocations of people.
God is longsuffering with man. Think for a moment of the gross sinfulness of the human race at the present time—the legalization of prostitution, the popularization of homosexuality, the laws permitting abortions, the breakdown of marriage and the home, the wholesale rejection of moral standards, and, of course, man’s crowning sin—the utter rejection of God’s Son as only Lord and Savior. One could scarcely blame God if He were to wipe out mankind with a stroke. But He doesn’t do it. His goodness is designed to lead men to repentance. He is not willing that any should perish.
And His will is that this longsuffering should be reproduced in the lives of His people as they yield to the Holy Spirit. This means that we should not be quick-tempered. We should not fly off the handle easily. We should not try to get even with people when they have wronged us. Instead we should display what someone has called “a kind of conquering patience.”
When Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were enduring indescribable sufferings in the concentration camp, Betsie would often say that they must help these people after they were released. They simply had to find a way to help them. Corrie thought, of course, that her sister was planning some program to rehabilitate the victims of the Nazis. It wasn’t till later that Corrie realized that Betsie meant her persecutors. She wanted to find some way to teach them to love. Corrie commented, “And I wondered, not for the first time, what sort of a person she was, this sister of mine…what kind of road she followed while I trudged beside her on the all-too-solid earth” (The Hiding Place, p. 175).
The road Betsie followed was the road of longsuffering. And Corrie walked it too, in spite of her humble disclaimer.
Sermon Outline
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I. Definition of Longsuffering
- Patient endurance under life's aggravations
- Merciful endurance of provocations from people
- Not quick-tempered or seeking revenge
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II. God's Longsuffering with Humanity
- God's patience despite human sinfulness
- God's desire for repentance, not destruction
- Examples of societal sin and rejection of God
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III. The Call for Believers to Exhibit Longsuffering
- Yielding to the Holy Spirit's work
- Displaying conquering patience
- Avoiding retaliation and quick anger
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IV. Illustration from Corrie and Betsie ten Boom
- Enduring suffering in concentration camps
- Betsie's desire to help persecutors with love
- Walking the road of longsuffering in daily life
Key Quotes
“The fruit of the Spirit is…longsuffering.” — William MacDonald
“His goodness is designed to lead men to repentance. He is not willing that any should perish.” — William MacDonald
“Instead we should display what someone has called 'a kind of conquering patience.'” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Practice patience and avoid quick anger when provoked by others.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to develop longsuffering as a fruit in your life.
- Respond to adversity and wrongdoing with merciful endurance rather than retaliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does longsuffering mean in a Christian context?
Longsuffering is the patient and merciful endurance of provocation and adversity, reflecting God's own patience with humanity.
Why is longsuffering important for believers?
It is a fruit of the Spirit that helps believers respond to others with grace and patience, avoiding quick anger and retaliation.
How does God demonstrate longsuffering towards mankind?
God patiently endures human sinfulness and offers time for repentance rather than immediate judgment.
Can you give an example of longsuffering from the sermon?
The example of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom enduring suffering and seeking to love their persecutors illustrates longsuffering.
How can believers cultivate longsuffering?
By yielding to the Holy Spirit and practicing conquering patience in daily interactions.