Scripture Text: 2 Peter 3:9-18
Memory Verse: Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. Colossians 1:11
Lesson Aim: To define longsuffering and how Jesus demonstrated it for us.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines longsuffering as “patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties.” Longsuffering is not just patience, but patience under affliction, patience while being mistreated, patience in the midst of difficulties and persecution.
If we break it down, we can see that: (1) Long: extending for a considerable distance or time period; (2) Suffering: to submit to or be forced to endure; (3) Endurance: to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding. Putting the three together, long-suffering would be suffering over an extended period of time without yielding to that which is against the will of God.
Whereas we can relate to and quite readily affirm some of the other attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, it is not easy to relate to longsuffering. No one likes to suffer and it is difficult to find people who are patient even when things are going well. Most people do not want to put up with anything that will deny their rights, cause discomfort or inconvenience. People often complain when there is nothing valid to complain about. So to be patient in the midst of trials truly requires the work of the Holy Spirit.
When we consider how the Father has put up with mankind from Adam until now, we can grasp some context of long-suffering. The Father endured the rejection of man from Adam until Jesus. Since we are born in sin with the Adamic nature, until we surrender our lives to Christ, we are at enmity with God, constantly hurting His feelings, walking in disobedience, and turning our own separate ways. Yet when we were not thinking of Him, He was thinking of us and God’s love endures because the Father is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
When we consider how Jesus suffered for us, our suffering pales in comparison. He was despised and rejected of men. He knew no sin but experienced the agony of bearing our iniquities. As a lamb before the slaughter, He opened not His mouth. Our Savior despised the shame and endured the extreme suffering of the cross. In spite of it all, He loved us and gave His life for us so that we could be called the sons of God. In like manner, we should be willing to suffer long for His Name’s sake.
Interact with God’s Word
- Longsuffering is the _____________ endurance of ______________ or __________________
- In what ways have the Father and Jesus shown longsuffering? 1 Timothy 1:15-16; 1 Peter 3:20
- What can we learn from Paul’s experience and exhortation regarding longsuffering? 2 Corinthians 6:4-6; Colossians 3:12-13; Ephesians 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:10-12
- What behaviors would be shown by someone who is longsuffering? 1 Peter 3:8-11; Matthew 5:11-12, 44