Sermon: Longanimity
[long-guh-nim-i-tee]
by Chris Cumming
A couple of years ago, I saw a movie with Ed Harris and Colin Farrell
that was based on a true event. The name of the movie is, "The Way
Back." It is a story of a Polish Army lieutenant who was imprisoned in a
Siberian Gulag after being captured when both German and Russia invaded
Poland in 1941. The lieutenant and six others escape and begin a 4,000
mile march to freedom. Their journey takes them from Siberia, into the
Gobi Desert [500,000 square miles],
Tibet and the Himalayas into India. Watching the movie is pure drudgery
because it pulls you into the monumental struggle they each had to face.
They went through an area with nothing put high humidity and mosquitoes
and then into one of the hottest deserts in the world with no water.
From there they went into the Himalayas with its ice, snow and freezing
temperatures. What impressed me throughout the movie was the simple fact
they never gave up. They kept going and going despite the daily
hardships. To me, this was the very picture of what the Bible calls,
"longsuffering."
You need to see this movie and you need to understand what the Word of
God has to say about longsuffering. It is time for us to become experts
at longsuffering.
Be an expert in longsuffering.
Let us begin with looking at the definition of the the word,
"longsuffering" and its related terms.
Name of sermon is: Longanimity [long-guh-nim-i-tee]
1. enduring injury, trouble, or provocation long and patiently.
2. long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation: years
of long-suffering and illness.
Origin:
1520–30
Related forms
long-suf·fer·ing·ly, adverb
— adj
1. enduring pain, unhappiness, etc, without complaint
— noun
2. long and patient endurance
LONGANIMITY
lon·ga·nim·i·ty [long-guh-nim-i-tee]
noun
patient endurance of hardship, injuries, or offense; forbearance.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English longanimyte < Late Latin longanimitas
patience, equivalent to longanimi
Related forms
lon·gan·i·mous [long-gan-uh-muhs, lawng-],
adjective
Is anyone noticing the similarity between this definition and the one on
Patience, which was the subject of my sermon
Equanimity [ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee].
Pa·tience [pey-shuhns] …noun
1. The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation,
annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper,
irritation, or the like.
2. An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when
confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. Quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work
with patience.
Let us recap what we learned from the dictionaries:
1] enduring injury, trouble or provocation long and patiently.
2] long and patient endurance.
3] enduring pain, unhappiness without complaint.
4] forbearance.
5] bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune or pain without
complaint, loss of temper or irritation.
6] ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance.
7] Quiet, steady perseverance.
8] diligence: to work with patience.
Clearly God wants us to be longsuffering. The question though is, "Is
God longsuffering."
Exodus 34:6
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD,
The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth,
Numbers 14:18
...Moses pleading for the lives of the children of Israel
The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and
transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth
generation.
Psalm 86:15
...David praying to God at a time he was poor and needy.
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Notice the word, "longsuffering" from the commentary:
Longsuffering - not only to wicked men, but
to his chosen ones; which longsuffering of his is salvation to them; he
bears with them, and waits to be gracious to them, to bring them to
repentance, and save them, 2 Peter 3:9. ~John
Gill
Quoted verse:
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Jeremiah 15:15
O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my
persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy
sake I have suffered rebuke.
All four verses use the Hebrew word, H750 with its definition,
"longsuffering, patient and slow to anger." Let us go into the New
Testament on this question of whether God is longsuffering.
Romans 2:4
...speaking of God after Paul admonishes us not to unrighteously judge
others of the same sins we commit.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?
Romans 9:22
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to
destruction:
Note: Paul is speaking of God's
dealing with the children of Israel and how He could easily have showed
His wrath upon them many times but rather dealt with them in
longsuffering.
2 Peter 3:9
...mentioned in the commentary we had on Psalm 86:15
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Are we to invoke longsuffering? Let us begin with some scripture
speaking to ministers
2 Corinthians 6:4-6
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much
patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in
fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy
Ghost [Spirit], by love unfeigned,
Galatians 5:22
...fruits of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 4:1-2
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
Note the commentary on verse 2 and the word, "Longsuffering."
With longsuffering - bearing much and long
with the infirmities of each other; without being easily provoked to
anger by any ill usage; and not immediately meditating and seeking
revenge for every affront given, or injury done; and so to walk, is to
walk worthy of the grace of calling, or agreeable to it, to God that
calls by his grace, who is longsuffering both with wicked men, and with
his own people. ~John Gill
Colossians 1:9-11 ...Paul speaking to and encouraging members at
Colosse
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Note: We manifest patience and
longsuffering by the power of the Holy Spirit. We will see this
confirmed in a moment.
Colossians 3:12 ...Paul still offering admonition and
encouragement
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
1 Timothy 1:16 [See
Lesson]
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ
might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should
hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
2 Timothy 3:10 [See
Lesson]
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, charity, patience,
2 Timothy 4:2 [See
Lesson]
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
I want to now look at the relationship between "Patience" and
"Longsuffering"
Patience and Longsuffering
In the sermon, Equanimity [ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee]
on the subject of Patience I asked the question:
Question: Is patience a fruit of the Spirit and therefore produced
within us by the power of the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith.
This specifically answers my original question 3 [in
that sermon] asking whether patience can be invoked. The
answer is, “yes, absolutely.” [end quote from
that sermon].
Did anyone read the word, "Patience" in that scripture? Maybe I should
have used some other Bible versions.
The King James, as we just quoted from the sermon, reads:
King James Bible
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
Now notice some others [with the understanding
that I, in no way necessarily recommend any of these versions]:
New Living Translation
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
English Standard Version
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
New American Standard Bible
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faith,
International Standard Version
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
NET Bible
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the fruits of The Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, sweetness,
goodness, faith,
World English Bible
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faith,
Notice some commentaries on Galatians 5:22
Long-suffering - In affliction and trial,
and when injured by others. ~Barnes Notes
Long-suffering - Long-mindedness, bearing
with the frailties and provocations of others, from the consideration
that God has borne long with ours; and that, if he had not, we should
have been speedily consumed: bearing up also through all the troubles
and difficulties of life without murmuring or repining; submitting
cheerfully to every dispensation of God’s providence, and thus deriving
benefit from every occurrence. ~Adam Clarke
Longsuffering - which intends not so much a
patient waiting for good things to come, for more grace, and for glory,
through the Spirit; but a patient bearing and enduring of present evils
with joyfulness, being strengthened by the Spirit with all might,
according to his glorious power; being slow to anger, ready to forgive
injuries, put up with affronts, and bear with, and forbear one another:
and which is usually accompanied with gentleness, humanity, affability,
courteousness, shown both in words, gestures, and actions; in imitation
of the gentleness of Christ, and agreeably to that wisdom, that heavenly
doctrine of the Gospel, which, among other things, is said to be gentle,
and easy to be entreated. ~John Gill
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long
patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Notice the commentary on the first phrase, "Be patient therefore."
The margin here is, “be long patient,” or “suffer with long patience.”
The sense of the Greek is, “be long-suffering, or let not your patience
be exhausted. Your courage, vigor, and forbearance is not to be
short-lived, but is to be enduring. Let it continue as long as there is
need of it, even to the coming of the Lord. Then you will be released
from sufferings.” ~Barnes Notes
The Greek words for Longsuffering are Greek words G3114 and G3115. The
latter is what we see in James 5:7 and the next three verses I give you.
G3114:
makrothumeo¯
mak-roth-oo-meh'-o
From the same as G3116; to be long spirited, that is, (objectively)
forbearing or (subjectively)
patient: - bear (suffer) long, be
longsuffering, have (long) patience,
be patient, patiently endure.
G3115
makrothumia
mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah
From the same as G3116; longanimity, that is, (objectively)
forbearance or (subjectively)
fortitude: - longsuffering, patience.
Note: We see the words longsuffering
and patience virtually the same. Here are the three verses I promised.
2 Corinthians 6:6
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy
Ghost [Spirit], by love unfeigned,
Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Notice this last verse uses both patience and longsuffering and says
that we should invoke these with all joyfulness.
Patience is the Greek word, G5281
G5281
hupomone¯
hoop-om-on-ay'
From G5278; cheerful (or hopeful)
endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Part of the reason we see both patience and longsuffering used in this
verse is to support the idea of the admonition to do this with joy.
Look at the context of this verse:
Colossians 1:9-11
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
So be an expert in longsuffering.
Practical Information on Patience and Longsuffering
The following is merely a suggestion that happens to have worked wonders
with me.
I have already shared with you my relationship with the Sounds Good
Company whose sole purpose is identifying music with lyrics that are
positive, edifying and uplifting. To qualify as a sounds good song, it
can have no lyrics that leave you feeling the least bit negative. The
words and the message of the song must promote your best moods, your
best attitudes, your best thoughts and continual tranquility of mind.
I currently have these in my own Internet FM Radio Station. I can listen
any time. I have all the music on CDs and play them in the car and as I
go to sleep at night. I am actually force-feeding the mind with all
things good, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report. What I have
noticed is that fewer and fewer things in this life bring me sorrow,
sadness, worry or anxiousness. Do this and you may, for the first time
in your life, see the real power of music.
Try it yourself and see if I am not right on this. Here is the Internet
address of the station:
http://instantfm.com/p/cbl
There you will find songs with such titles as: "A Beautiful Morning",
"Win", "Feeling Good", "Going the Distance", "Fly Like a Bird", "Top of
the World", "I Made It Through the Rain" and "Wind Beneath My Wings."
Notice some quotes on the power of music:
“Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't.”
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life
bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible
delights of the soul.”
“The devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles,
flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of
God....Music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus
it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all
wrath, impurity, and other devices.”
“I've found that no matter what life throws at me, music softens the
blow.”
Be an expert in longsuffering and patience. Begin with virtuous music
and feeding your brain true thoughts. Notice the Word of God on this.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Note: Good music is virtuous and
lovely and of good report.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
For "good" Barnes Notes says, "Hold fast that
which is good - Which is in accordance with reason and the word
of God; which is adapted to promote the salvation of the soul and the
welfare of society." Good music with good words does this.
Another commentary:
Hold fast that which is good - honest,
pleasant, profitable, and agreeable to sound doctrine, to the analogy of
faith, and the Scriptures of truth, and is useful and edifying,
instructive both as to principle and practice; such should be held fast,
that no man take it away; and be retained.
~John Gill
Note: Good music, good images, good
thoughts are of faith and the scriptures. They are continually edifying
to those who hold and embrace them. They should be held fast and
retained for the simple they push all negative things out.
Questions for you:
Where do actions originate?
Where do attitudes begin?
Where do moods reside?
Where are your problems solved?
Where does success begin?
Where does love reside and flourish?
Where are fruits of the Spirit invoked?
The answer to all seven of these questions is the mind. Doesn't your
spiritual logic and the scriptures I just read speak to the idea of
protecting that mind and cultivating that mind and having that mind
holding and embracing only the good things?
Where is impatience born?
Where is anger born?
Where are annoyance, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, irritability and
rashness born?
They all originate in the mind. When they all are allowed to begin their
growth in the mind, there is a lack of longsuffering and patience.
Longsuffering and patience are fruits of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
hampered in any mind that is full of negative substance. Paul is clearly
stating in Philippians and 1 Thessalonians that we must fill our mind
with positive music, images, literature, concepts, thoughts and
scriptures.
I have given you an example of how to bring in good music with its
positive words, moods, attitudes and truths. Do the same with those
other things, such as images, literature and thoughts. If you do this,
your longsuffering and patience will not be hampered. Indeed, both will
become strong in the power of the Holy Spirit of God. You will be
conforming to the image of Christ.
What does God's Word say about music?
Psalm 105:2
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Note: God loves good music
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Note: Where is that music? In the
heart. The scripture clearly speaks to playing this good music to
yourselves.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Good and positive music in our hearts is praise to God. All things that
are good, pure and just are praise to God because they help us to
conform to the image of Christ.
QUOTES ON PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING
Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination
for success. ~Napoleon Hill
Our patience will achieve more than our force.
Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while
we're waiting.
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage in considering you own imperfections but instantly
set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.
Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on hold fast hold
out. Patience is genius.
Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into
practice with courageous patience.
Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master
you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.
~Helen Keller
So go now and be an expert in longsuffering.