Growing in Understanding and Patience

MEMORY VERSE: “And let us due season we shall reap, if we not be weary in well-doing: for in faint not.” —Galatians 6:9

PHILIPPIANS 4:1-7; COLOSSIANS 3:12-15

OUR memory verse has an interesting setting. In verses 7 and 8 of the chapter Paul writes, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Then follows our memory verse in which we are exhorted not to be weary in well-doing, for in due time we shall indeed reap, if we faint not.

The next verse completes the sequence of thought. Paul writes, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Paul seems clearly to be saying that sowing to the Spirit is the devoting of our lives unselfishly to the doing of God’s will, which, as he outlines it here, is doing good to all, and especially to the household of faith.

This requires understanding and patience. Paul’s letter to the brethren in Philippi indicates that here was a sincere, devoted, and loving group of disciples. But apparently there were two sisters in the group—Euodias and Syntyche—who did not get along as well together as the others, and Paul asks that they be exhorted to be “of the same mind in the Lord.” This necessitated understanding and patience.

To grow in understanding and patience with one another it is essential to grow in our understanding of the Lord, and in appreciation of all his wonderful provisions for us. “Rejoice in the Lord alway,” Paul wrote, “and again I say, Rejoice.” Christians who are rejoicing in the Lord will be congenial and helpful to their brethren.

The Revised Version of verse 5 reads, “Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” To the brethren at Ephesus Paul wrote, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” (Eph. 4:2) It requires a large measure of Christian love to bear with the imperfections of others, and it is always well to remember that others need to exercise the same forbearance with us. According to the flesh all the Lord’s people are imperfect, and none is acceptable to the Lord apart from the robe of Christ’s righteousness.—Isa. 16:10

“Be careful for nothing,” Paul wrote. (Phil. 4:6) The Revised Version reads, “In nothing be anxious.” This seems to be the clearer thought. And then Paul exhorts that through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we should make known our requests to the Lord. Regardless of what our problems may be, we should learn to leave them with the Lord. Thus we will have peace of mind and heart which will pass all human understanding.

In his letter to the brethren at Colosse, Paul wrote that they should put on “bowels of mercies,” or compassion, “kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel [margin, or complaint] against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”—ch. 3:12,13

“Above all these things,” Paul continues, “put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” Here the suggestion is that love binds the other Christian graces to us, and it is true that apart from love we could not possess to any great degree the other fruits of the Spirit. “Love suffereth long, Paul wrote, “and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself [margin, or, is not rash], is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth [margin, or, with the truth]; beareth [‘covers,’ Strong, Roth. and Diag.] all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth.”—I Cor. 13:4-8

QUESTIONS

What does it mean to sow to the Spirit?

What is necessary in order to grow in understanding and patience with the brethren?

How can we have peace of mind and heart despite the problems which confront us?

What quality of character is essential in our relationship to the brethren?

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