God's Forbearing Love

Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NKJV)

Love bears all things. To bear can mean to carry a load. When we love others, we will come alongside them and help them with their burdens in times of struggle. This could be physical help, like cleaning the house or cooking for someone who is ill. It could also emotional/spiritual help, like sending a card to let them know I’m praying for them and that they are not alone.

There’s another meaning of “to bear” and that’s to act with forbearance. To forbear is to be patient and self-controlled when annoyed or provoked. I need to be patient with others, especially those who might be younger in faith than I. (See Romans 15:1.) Bearing with others’ weaknesses and failings is part of how we live for Jesus.

Jesus is our perfect example of this aspect of God’s love. Look at what Peter tells us:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed [Himself] to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:21-24 NKJV)

Jesus bore our sins in His own body on the cross to save us from bearing the punishment. He bore beatings and humiliation before bearing an awful death so that we could be healed and follow in His steps. He offers us forbearance when He patiently, sometimes repeatedly, forgives us. He deals so kindly with our weaknesses and fears,

It can be hard to bear things for others, to carry their burdens for a while or to deal patiently with people who have great needs. But that’s what I’m called to do, if I’m the follower of Jesus that I want to be. He won’t quit because He’s too tired or worn to deal with my issues anymore. I need to remember this and keep going, loving those that He puts in my path every day.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)

Think About:

• How have you experienced God's forbearing love?

• How you can extend that love to someone today?