The Love of God: Longsuffering
God’s quality of love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Because we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, through being led by the indwelling Holy Spirit as we seek to fulfill His desires and feel at ease with who we are in Christ we are able to express this type of love towards other Christians, Galatians 5:22. This is not a love that is to be directed at unbelievers or the world, for it is by this love towards each other that they will know that we are disciples of Christ. Rather, we are to do good to all, but above all, love the brethren, Galatians 6:10.
The love is longsuffering … 1 Corinthians 13:4
Longsuffering is the long holding out of one’s anger against unreasonable people. It is not the same as patience, which is remaining under a circumstance as we wait for a resolution, Colossians 1:11.
Longsuffering is very important when it comes to dealing with other saints as we mature in our faith. For we are to warn the unruly, comfort the little souled, uphold the weak, and be longsuffering towards all, 1 Thessalonians 5:14. This does not justify a sharp or bitter person that everyone must put up with their “quirks”. If that is you, stop it, for this is not expressing love towards others; rather, it is selfish and has no place among the saints. We are to serve each other in humility and objectivity of mind with longsuffering, Ephesians 4:2-6. As a farmer is longsuffering concerning the fruit of the earth, we are to be longsuffering towards each other, James 5:7-9.
One of the aspects of being a Pastor is to be persistent in teaching the truth, convicting, rebuking, exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine, 2 Timothy 4:2. It is important to follow proper teaching, and Paul is a good example of how to do this in our lives, 2 Timothy 3:10. Paul was being raised to be the teacher of Israel, yet when it came to the knowledge of Christ, he considered all he had to be dung, for the truth of the matter is there is nothing in this world of more value than knowing Christ, Philippians 3:8.
It is the longsuffering of God that leads a person into a change of mind concerning the truth, Romans 2:4. For God did not determine that certain ones would perish, but is longsuffering to give time that all reach a change of mind, 2 Peter 3:9. We see a good example of His longsuffering with Paul, who was the first that in him Christ would be shown as a pattern to those who believe, 1 Timothy 1:16. And when it comes to those who will reject God, He is longsuffering towards the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, Romans 9:22. For wrath will come and they will face the full reward for their wicked deeds. And although they continually vex us, our focus today should be on the ministry of reconciliation and living a life that shows them the light of the knowledge of Christ, and always be ready to give a defense for the hope that we have.
Therefore, as we mature together in Christ, let us be longsuffering towards each other because there are times when we all are being unreasonable because we are holding on to a false belief and not willing to accept the truth. Love will hold its anger in this type of situation as we grow in our understanding and learn to apply the truth correctly so that we overcome the strongholds we have built up in our minds and bring everything into obedience of the Christ. And it is through this longsuffering towards other saints that those outside of the Church will see that we truly are Christ’s disciples.
Hope (ἐλπίς)
“Hope” expresses an eager expectation that is always based upon a promise. Unlike the English word, the original Greek does not include the concept of “a wishful desire”; rather, expressing a ready anticipation based upon confidence or trust.
In the crucifixion of Christ, He had hope because God the Father had given Him a promise that He would not leave His soul in Hades, nor would His flesh see corruption. Therefore, He did not face the cross with wishful thinking, but in eager expectation concerning the promise given to Him.
Because of this My heart praises and My tongue rejoices, indeed still also My flesh rests upon hope, because You will not abandon My soul in Hades, nor give Your pious One to see corruption – Acts 2:26-27
Herod had desired for a long time to see Jesus, because he hoped (eagerly expected) that Jesus would perform some sign for him, Luke 23:8. Herod knew of what Jesus was doing among the people and the signs and wonders that He had performed; however, his hope was not about believing in the Christ, but for entertainment. And when Christ refused to answer him, he and his men of war mistreated Jesus. Later, Herod is struck with worms and dies when he claims to be a god, Acts 12:21-23.
The hope we find on the road to Emmaus with two of the disciples after the resurrection of Christ expresses an eager expectation because they had anticipation that Jesus was the Messiah and would restore Israel, a hope based upon God’s promise; however, the Chief Priests and rulers of Israel delivered Him over to be condemned to death and crucified. Therefore, even though they expected that Jesus was the Messiah, for He was a Prophet that did mighty works and words before God and all the people, from their perspective their hope became wishful thinking when He was put to death. However, the reality is that Jesus is the Messiah, just as Scripture stated that Christ must first suffer these things to come into His glory, and after the resurrected Christ opened their minds to understand Scripture their hope was found to be true, Luke 24:13-25.
When it comes to hope that is based upon a promise, it is not wishful thinking, but eager expectation, Romans 8:24-25. Faith is the underlying substance of that which is hoped for, and what is hoped for is always based upon a promise; therefore, without faith there is no hope, Hebrews 11:1. Concerning the promises the Christian has from God, as recorded in Scripture, hope is not a matter of if what is desired will come to be, but of when the promises given will be fulfilled. Therefore, Christians should be basing their hope upon promises given to the Church so that faith will impact their actions to live a life based upon what God has said.
Because hope is based upon a promise, love expresses hope concerning what a person states they will do, 1 Corinthians 13:7, for true love always seeks the best for the one loved and therefore will give them the shadow of the doubt concerning their promises. However, love also does not rejoice in unrighteousness but in truth and subsequently will not allow another to take advantage of it, 1 Corinthians 13:8, because that would not be what is best for the one loved.
When it comes to the Christian life, and the hope that we have in Christ, it is not a hope that is only in this life, for if it was, we would be most pitiful of men, 1 Corinthians 15:19. However, the truth of the matter is that Christ has raised from the dead and therefore our hope is not wishful thinking, but an eager expectation concerning our fellowship in His death and resurrection, for when we see Him we will be like Him, 1 John 3:2.
Since hope is not wishful thinking, but rather an eager expectation, if we are expressing a wish in what we desire from God, we need to reexamine what we are putting our hope in. Hope is always based upon a promise and therefore our confidence relies upon the one making the promise. Taking the promises that belong to others and claiming them as yours is not hope but presumption. God made specific promises to Israel that He will fulfill that are different to the promises to the Church, for our covenant is built upon better promises, Hebrews 8:6. Therefore, let us put our hope (eager expectation) in what God has said, not what we wish He would do.
Atonement
Keper (כפר) means “to cover”. When used of sin it takes on the meaning of atonement. However, atonement does not modify its definition; rather, it is a specific use for the word “to cover”. It is not a word that is restricted to religious purposes.
Noah is instructed to cover the ark inside and out, Genesis 6:14. In expressing the aspect of recompense, Jacob sends many of his possessions before him to Esau seeking to make an atonement for stealing the blessing from their father, Genesis 32:18.
The ark of the covenant has on top of it the place of covering, often translated as the mercy seat. This is the place where the High Priest would make an offering of the blood of bulls and goats each year to cover the sins of Israel, Exodus 25:17. The Mosaic law made place for the covering of sins by gifts and the offering of a sacrifice, Exodus 29:36. However, the gifts and sacrifices could not make the one preforming the religious service clear concerning their conscience, Hebrews 9:9.
In the New Testament, atonement is expressed by propitiation. In Hebrews 9:5, we find a reference to the Mercy Seat in the Old Testament Temple, which is translated by a word meaning “a place of satisfaction” or “propitiation”. Christ propitiatory work relates to the righteousness of God because He deferred judgment on previously committed sins, Romans 3:25, and was for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. However, propitiation is not equivalent with salvation. When it comes to salvation, Christ did not make a covering for sins, He sent them away (ἄφεσιν), Colossians 1:14, and it is by His blood that our conscience is cleaned from dead works, Hebrews 9:14.
The Inarticulate Babbler – No Longer Tossed Around
And on the one hand God gave the apostles, and on the other hand the prophets, and the evangelist, and the pastors even teachers, towards the equipping of the saints unto a work of service, unto a building up of the body of the Christ, until we all arrive at a oneness of the faith and the full experiential knowledge of the Son of God, unto a mature man, unto a measure of maturity of the fulness of the Christ, in order that we are no longer inarticulate babblers, tossed around and carried about by every wind of teaching by the craftiness of men in cunning scheming of deceit, but while speaking the truth in love growing up unto Him in all things, Who is the head, Christ – Ephesians 4:11-15.
Nepios (νήπιος), is a word that describes a stage in life when we are under governors and tutors while being trained and brought to maturity. The importance of a good education and the integrity of those teaching is very important for the proper growth and maturity of a student. When the teachers fail to speak the truth, and do not hold the students accountable, maturity is never reached.
…always learning and never coming unto a full experiential knowledge of the truth – 2 Timothy 3:7
This is true in secular and religious settings. Today our government schools are intentionally based upon ideology and propaganda that teaches contrary to the truth and causes a lot of young people to be very confused about history, who they are, and basic truths in life. This same type of atmosphere is present in many large and well-known assemblies claiming to be Christians today. In the book of Revelation seven periods of the Church on earth are revealed. We are in the period as described by the Laodicean assembly, which is the last one before the return of Christ for the Church, Revelation 3:14. Laodicean assemblies focus on wealth and are lukewarm to Jesus; therefore, they heavily rely upon every wind of teaching that comes through the churches, Revelation 3:15-17. Some claim to take the place of Israel, where others boast about those in the assembly committing such immorality that not even the unbelievers would be involved; however, all of these types of assemblies reject properly dividing Scripture. They will claim the name of Jesus and that they do things in His name while denying the Lord who bought them, allowing false teachers to secretly bring in destructive heresies.
Through the apostle Peter we are warned that in these last days false teachers will come bringing in destructive heresies, while speaking false things concerning the truth, 2 Peter 2:1. These are ones who by covetousness will exploit the saints with deceptive words. However, when Christ ascended on high, He gave gifts to men to counter these anti-christs. These gifts are for the edification of the Church so that we mature and are therefore no longer tossed around by every wind of teaching by the cunning trickery of men. These are the men who, through the generations, have been entrusted with the truth to teach others, 2 Timothy 2:2. Their purpose in life is to train us up in righteousness by rightly dividing the Word of truth, shepherding, and teaching to bring us to maturity in the Word of God, 2 Timothy 2:15.
We are instructed to test every spirit to determine what good is present in the things they bring, 1 John 4:1. However, in order to test them we need to know the truth. We do not overcome evil by knowing evil; rather we are to be wise in what is beneficial and harmless in things that lack in character, Romans 16:19. If the saints would simply take the time to learn the basics of the principles of the oracles of God many of these destructive heresies would be rejected. Anyone teaching justification by law, idolatry, covetousness, or any other thing contrary to the grace we have in Christ would easily be identified by a saint who knows even the basics of the Christian life. We need to listen to what the Spirit says concerning the Churches. Let us not lose our first love, which is the love for the saints, as the Ephesians assembly did, Revelation 2:4. Today there is a heavy focus on loving the world at the expense of the saints. Yet, Christ said by our love for other saints all will know that we are His disciples, not our love for the world, and the love of the Father is not in the world, John 13:34-35; 1 John 2:15. Let us reject those who claim to be Jews, who are really of the synagogues of Satan, Revelation 2:9. These are any assemblies claiming to take the place of and promises to Israel. Let us refuse the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. These are doctrines that seek stature and wealth among the unbelievers at the cost of the saints and separate out the clergy from the people, Revelation 2:14. These are the assemblies that have priests and clergy that teach the traditions of men over the Word of God and tithing as an element of righteousness. Let us discard idolatry and fornication that comes from the worship of saints and mother Mary, Revelation 2:20. Let us reject the deep things of Satan, holding fast to the truth, Revelation 2:24. Assemblies practicing the deep things of Satan are the ones focusing on casting out demons and exercising authority over the things of darkness. Let us deny those who claim the name of Christ but are dead. These are the covenant and reformed assemblies who bring in false gospels, Revelation 3:1. Rather, let us hold to those assemblies that guard the Word of God, while rejecting those who claim to be Jews and the false doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. These are smaller assemblies, yet God has opened a door for them that no one can close, Revelation 3:8. In addition, let us cast-off the progressive theology of our day that is lukewarm to God, seeking worldly wealth above all else while rejecting the truth, Revelation 3:16-17.
A Christian who is an inarticulate babbler is one that is carnal and has not trained their senses to discern what is proper from what is lacking in character. This training is not done by trying to live out from law for the law is not out from faith. Due to their focus on the desires of the flesh, divisions, envy, and heresy reign among them. They may have been a Christian for a very long time but have not matured because they are focused on what makes them feel good. This type of mindset allows destructive heresies to enter the local assemblies, such as idol worshipping, spiritual fornication, living by law, tithing for righteousness, false salvation messages, and a lukewarm attitude towards the truth.
However, Christ has given us Pastors even teachers to bring us to a oneness of the faith, unto a mature man to the stature of who we are in Christ so that we are no longer tossed around by the teaching of men who seek to deceive the saints. Therefore, let us take full advantage of these gifts, seeking out those who teach the truth and focus on bringing the saints to a oneness of the faith unto the proper opinion of Jesus Christ, God, and who we are in Christ, so that we truly are those who stand firm on God’s Word even in the storm of progressive heresy that plagues the assemblies today.
Regard (נבט)
The word for looking at something in the Hebrew language is typically ראה (rah). After Lot separates from Abram and goes down into the valley to reside among the Sodomites, God has Abram lift up his eyes and look (rah) at the land, showing him all that his descendants will receive, Genesis 13:14. To gaze up on a person is expressed by שׁור (sor), Job 7:8. Those who see (rah) Job will no longer glance (sor) upon him. נבט (nabat) then relates to seeing in a way that gives regard to something; therefore, it is not specifically referring to the physical appearance, but of consideration or concern.
The distinctions in different words for how we see, are important to understand because by their use we are expressing specific meaning. When Lot’s wife turned and looked at Sodom after they had been rescued from its destruction by the Lord, she did not turn and physically glance at the city, or in fleeing decide to turn around and go back to Sodom. She turned her regard back to this extremely wicked place, and as a result God included her in the judgment by turning her to a pillar of salt, Genesis 19:26.
When Abraham is told to look towards the heaven and count the stars, God is not focusing on their appearance but on giving regard to all the stars in the heavens, Genesis 15:5. After God speaks to Moses through the burning bush, Moses hides his face so as to not look intensely or give regard to what he was seeing, Exodus 3:6. Later, the people of Israel give regard to Moses every time he goes out to the tent of meeting. When Moses entered the tent the pillar of cloud would stand at the door of the tabernacle, for God spoke with Moses face to face as with a friend, and all the people saw this, Exodus 33:8. After Israel regrets speaking against the Lord for bringing them out of Egypt, because their rebellion brought fiery serpents among them for punishment, Moses was instructed by God to make a serpent and place it on a pole. After that, when someone was bitten by a poisonous snake, if they regarded the bronze serpent they lived, Numbers 21:8-9. They were to turn their mind towards the serpent and give regard to it, which would have reminded them of their revolt against God and the reason for the fiery serpents being sent among them. When Samuel was instructed to anoint the new King of Israel because Saul had disobeyed God and lost his right to rule, he sees Eliab, the son of Jesse and states that surely this is the one that God has appointed; however, God tells Samuel that he is not to give regard to his appearance, for the Lord does not see as men see, who only look upon the outward appearance, 1 Samuel 16:7. In Psalm 119, David writes of the man who is undefiled and walks in the law of the Lord. When he is giving regard to the law of God, he does not turn to perversity and is therefore not ashamed of his actions, Psalm 119:6. He meditates on the precepts of God and gives regard to His ways, Psalm 119:15. This is the one who requests that God will open his eyes so that he can give regard to the wondrous things from His law, Psalm 119:16.
Lot’s wife was not turned to a pillar of salt because she turned and looked at the destruction of Sodom; rather, she turned her mind back to the wicked ways of the city and gave regard for them. After speaking against God and Moses, the people of Israel that were bitten by a poisonous snake where not to just glance at the bronze snake, but give regard to it, reminding them of their rebellion and the consequences it brought. The Israelite who regarded God’s law did not turn to perversity for he meditated on the precepts of God and regarded His ways. David was selected as the king of Israel because Samuel was instructed not to give regard to the appearance of the man; rather, God’s anointed one would be chosen based upon who he is, not what he looks like.
The concept of sight is very interesting, for it is not only with the eyes that we see. Just as David wrote concerning the one who gives regard to the law of God, so we as Christians are to give consideration to what God’s standards and ways are for us. We do not live under the Mosaic law as inarticulate babblers who never mature; rather, we live out from faith by grace and are therefore able to train our senses to know what is proper for us to do in any situation. When we give regard to God’s standards for us, we will walk in the truth while using the faith, and therefore will be led by the Holy Spirit as we seek to fulfill His desires in our lives, which will produce a life that rejects perversity because we are giving consideration to the ways of God, for it is not the things that are glanced upon that matter, but the things not seen, yet still perceived, that are eternal, 2 Corinthians 4:18.
Wavering (διστάζω)
The concept of doubt is expressed in a couple of different ways in Scripture, and they are important to distinguish between each other. There is doubt that describes someone who is wavering (διστάζω); having two sides, and doubt that is a result of justifying a way around (διακρίνω).
Wavering is when a person is unsure, or lacking confidence. It was this type of doubting that happened to Peter after he stepped out of the boat onto the sea with Christ in Matthew 14:31 that caused him to start sinking. After the resurrection of Christ, the 11 disciples were wavering, even after seeing Him, Matthew 28:17. Wavering is not a sin but does express only having a little faith. Being of little faith is often seen in relation to how God cares for us, Matthew 6:30.
The term for doubt that could cause a Christian to sin because they are doing something while doubting is a word that means to thoroughly judge or discern (διακρίνω). “Discerning” is the positive aspect of this word where “doubt” is the negative meaning. When Abraham believed God, he did not doubt in unbelief what God was saying; rather, he took Him at His Word, Romans 4:18. He did not attempt to justify his way around what God said. If a Christian does something while doubting, they can sin, Romans 14:23. However, this is not the same as wavering or being unsure. Thoroughly judging (doubting) is being used to justify one’s actions rather than taking God at His word. In the case of food, it would be coming up with a reason to be permitted to eat something that otherwise would defile your conscience before God, such as on a special occasion, or with a specific person, rather than accepting the fact that we are now permitted to eat anything so long as it is received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4:4. In Matthew 16:3 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees because they can discern the sky but cannot discern the signs of the times. Although they knew that Jesus was the Messiah, they doubted because they did not want their positions of authority to be taken away.
Having been with Christ during His earthly ministry, knowing that He is God in the flesh and that the Messiah will reign over Israel, the disciples faced the crucifixion of their Lord by the hands of those most trusted among the Israelites to lead them in truth. Yet, unlike any man prior, Christ did not stay in the grave. For just as the Father stated, He raised Him from the dead three days later. After the resurrection, Christ gave the disciples absolute proof that He indeed was raised from the dead. And we know from their actions after the ascension of Christ and at the beginning of the Church that they believed this without doubt. Yet, as Christ is speaking with them, before His ascension to send the Holy Spirit, they are wavering for they did not know what was coming next, Matthew 28:17. However, because of their obedience this wavering did not last very long, for after the Holy Spirit came, they were bold and spread the word of the resurrection throughout Israel, Acts 2:36. Even calling out the leaders of Israel for what they had done, Acts 4:10.
The disciples would have known of the promises given to the Messiah, especially concerning the Father’s angels watching over Him, Psalm 91:11-12. Even Satan knew this and attempted to use it against Christ, Matthew 4:6. Therefore, when Peter wavered because he was walking upon the water of the sea, it was without justification because he was not taking God at His Word. However, just before Christ ascends to send the Holy Spirit, the information on the dispensation of grace had not yet been revealed to man; therefore, their wavering is due to a lack of knowledge, not unbelief. When it comes to a Christian wavering, it is always going to come down to a lack of understanding concerning the promises God has given to the Church, or a misapplication of the promises given to Israel. Therefore, we overcome wavering through learning God’s Word and how it applies to our lives. This produces a mindset that is perceiving things as they really are and thereby becomes stable, no longer wavering because of the promises God has given to us, and the fact that He is always true to His Word.