Issue 27 | The Love Test | July/Aug 2018 by Lilies in the City

lilies city best! Patience: Lilies in the City - July/August 2018 - Issue 27

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Christ-like purit y in any environment

Good, Better,

The Companion of Love

Gentleness & Longsuffering IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST

HE SUFFERED LONG

Flaxseed BEAUTY CARE

FOR LUSCIOUS HAIR & BODY

Forgiven & Forgiving DEALING WITH OTHERS:

ENDURING AND RESPONDING

The love test

20 22 2

lilies city

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Christ-like purit y in any environment

Lily Lifestyle

6 Patience: the Companion of Love 10 In the Life of Christ: Gentleness 13 He Suffered Long 14 In the Life of Christ: Longsuffering

Glowing Lily Social Lily Practical Lily

20 Flaxseed Beauty Care for Luscious Hair & Body 22 Dealing With Others: Enduring and Responding 24 Forgiven and Forgiving

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible (The King James Version). 3

EDITOR'S NOTE

The love test

e’re in the midst of wedding season when love, relationships and the realities of married life regularly flow in and out of conversations. A group of us, a mixture of newlyweds, those seasoned in marriage, and the single and dating recently gathered around the dining table, extending our fellowship sometime after we had finished lunch, laughing and sharing our experiences in those areas.

Danie*, who had been married for nearly a decade, leaned over and continued, “And he just kept on doing it, never complaining even once.” She was sharing the early experiences that her and her husband George* had in their marriage. George had recently graduated with his professional degree and while he was still looking for employment had taken on the bulk of the housework. Then he found some part time work and was still caring for the house. Soon they were both working full time with George alone caring for their home. This went on for many months. George is a man in all senses of the word yet he never tried to exercise his authority in light of the imbalance. Instead, he continued diligently, faithfully and gently carrying the larger share of the home duties. Then a lightbulb went on for Danie. “I didn’t even realize that all this time, I was being so selfish. But my patient husband sacrificed, and lovingly worked on.” George showed long-suffering and gentleness. What was the source of this fruit? Love. This man loved his wife, but loved the Lord even more and was willing to lead softly by example, as he had been led. It was as if George was echoing the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy “...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” (1 Tim. 1:16, emphasis supplied). And George’s example spoke volumes. What’s the pattern in your life? Would a litmus test reveal a Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled life? In this issue we explore the realities of two more aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, long-suffering and gentleness. *names changed

Administrative STAFF

Almarie Hill Editor-in-Chief

Akilah Ballard Financial Manager

Delnita McDavid Associate Editor

"The lily on the lake strikes its roots down deep beneath the surface of rubbish and slime, and through its porous stem draws those properties that will aid its development, and bring to light its spotless blossom to repose in purity on the bosom of the lake. It refuses all that would tarnish and mar its spotless beauty. We may learn a lesson from the lily, and although surrounded with influences that would tend to corrupt the morals and bring ruin upon the soul, we may refuse to be corrupted, and place ourselves where evil association shall not corrupt our hearts." Have Any Questions For The Lilies Staff? Contact us: admin@liliesinthecity.org Photography: Jedediah Beadle (pgs. 2, 14, 17) Layout & Design: Abiola Osinjolu

Patience:

The Companion of Love â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aniza Moore

"CHARITY

suffereth

LONG…"

n December of last year, I attended GYC, a youth conference in Phoenix, AR. This conference is geared towards young people who have a desire to know God deeper. This was my third time attending, and it was a very special experience. During one of the sermons, a pastor made an appeal to read the entire Bible and the Conflict of the Ages series--5-book commentary on the Bible—in one year! I felt convicted to go forward with this endeavor. I am happy to report that I’m still on this journey. There have been times when it’s been tough. However, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have been able to push through my times of hardship if it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit coaxing and motivating me to press on. Praise God for His longsuffering towards us!

As we know, God is love (1 John 4:8), and an attribute of love is longsuffering. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, the Bible says, “Charity suffereth long…” Please note that charity and love are synonymous here. So, if we know that God is love and that charity suffereth long, that means that God is longsuffering. It is a specific character trait that He possesses.

– Nadia Agnant

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of how the Lord has been extremely patient with His people. In the garden of Eden, God had prepared a special dwelling place for Adam and Eve to reside. Eve was tempted to eat the fruit, and she fell. God could have let Adam and Eve die as soon as they had sinned, but in His love, He chose to forgive them. In that same love, He permitted Adam and Eve to experience the consequences of their sin, which eventually resulted in death. Thankfully, they still have the opportunity to live eternally with our Maker once again. This would not have been possible without love. One of the most profound stories that I’ve read in the Bible is the book of Hosea, it’s a beautiful illustration of the longsuffering of God. Let’s 7

"INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEM IN THE DUST, THE LORD WAS LONGSUFFERING. HE COULD NOT SIMPLY “FORGET” ABOUT HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE. INSTEAD, THE LORD "

forgave.

summarize some of the main points from the book. Chapters 1-3 talk about the marriage of Hosea and Gomer. Gomer was not satisfied with her family life and committed adultery. Instead of divorcing his providentially ordained bride, Hosea seeks her and goes to find the woman that He loves. What I love about this is that Hosea is showing a love that seems almost obsolete in our world today. If this story had taken place in 2018, how many of us would stay with a partner like Gomer? She was unfaithful and she broke the covenant she made between God and her husband during her marriage ceremony. Hosea had every right to leave her… BUT there was a lesson to be learned. Hosea 3:3 says, “Then said the Lord unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.” During the time that this story took place, the Israelites were worshipping other gods and decided they did not want to cooperate with the plan that the Lord had put in place for a successful future. They wanted to do whatever made them content. God saw this as Israel being unfaithful to Him and it broke His heart. How could the people that He loved treat Him this way? Instead of leaving them in the dust, the Lord was longsuffering. He could not simply “forget” about His chosen people. Instead, the 8

Lord forgave. Hosea 3:4 says, “Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.” Amen. In the book Acts of the Apostles it says, “… In all ages, through the medium of communion with heaven, God has worked out His purpose for His children, by unfolding gradually to their minds the doctrines of grace. His manner of imparting truth is illustrated in the words, ‘His going forth is prepared as the morning.’ Hosea 6:3.”1 Our God is so patient with us. We are so undeserving… We know that our ultimate example is found in God. I pray that we may practice longsuffering in our lives and that the Lord will shape and fashion us into the way He would have us to be. The road of patience and longsuffering will not be easy, but trust in God that He will make it possible to attain all these things and more! 1. Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), 564.

IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST

Gentleness

in entered the world, by one man. “Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”, yea, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:12; 3:23). Hence, as sin separates us from God (see Isa. 59:2), and as all have sinned, it follows that all have been separated from God.

Through the entrance of sin, mankind lost the way to God. Therefore, it is written: “They all have gone out of the way”; “All we like sheep have 10

– Ikemba Balogu

gone astray”, even “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant” (Rom. 3:12; Isa. 53:6; Psa. 119:176). And God is seeking us through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Heed Christ’s words: “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:12). “How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep [lost sheep], than of the ninety

"THY GENTLENESS HATH MADE ME and nine which went not astray” (Matt. 18:13, 14). Yes, “when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing” (Luke 15:5); “for ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25). It is here, as a Shepherd, that the “gentleness of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:1) is demonstrated. For “He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isa. 40:11). To liken Jesus to the profession of a shepherd is to denote the unceasing care, the earnest affection, and the absolute devotion that characterizes a shepherd. For what is required of a shepherd calls for such a devotion that will not stop to preserve his own life, such a devotion as will place his own life in jeopardy, and such a devotion as will even give his own life for the sheep. Thus, the words of Christ are: “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). This is the gentleness of that great Shepherd. This is the “gentleness of Christ” because “the fruit of the Spirit is… gentleness” (Gal. 5:22). Now, it is also written: “Thy gentleness hath made me great” (2 Sam. 22:36; Psa. 18:35). And those who have received “the gentleness of Christ” are so entirely devoted, so utterly immersed, and so unreservedly committed to the line of work that God has placed before them, that this work—the work of ministering to the needs of others—takes precedence over everything else. For as to true greatness, Christ has said: “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister… even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25-28). Thus, in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul,

Great.

under inspiration, wrote: “As we are allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth out hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ” (1 Thess. 2:4-6).

The preceding passage tells how “gentleness” is not imparted; and in contrast, what follows tells how “gentleness” is imparted: “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children; so [even as a nurse] being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls [that is, our own lives], because ye were dear unto us” (vv. 7-8). Therefore, to be affectionately desirous of another, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children” is to be like “Christ” who “loved the church and gave Himself [His life]”, and “nourisheth and cherisheth it” (Eph. 5:25, 29). Thus, as “the servant is not greater than his lord” (John 13:16) and “as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 3:17), then it naturally follows that “the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient” (2 Tim. 2:24). “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated” (James 3:16, 17). Have you not received the “gentleness of Christ” in your own life? Will you not now receive and manifest this “gentleness” to others and be “gentle, shewing meekness unto all men” (Tit. 3:2)? For “the fruit of the Spirit is… gentleness”; and as Jesus Christ was given the Spirit without measure, we beseech you: “ask, and it shall be given you.” “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” “for everyone that asketh receiveth.” “Be filled with” “the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto day of redemption” (Gal 5:22; Matt 7:7; John 20:22; Matt. 7:8; Eph. 5:18; 4:30). 11

HE SUFFERED LONG â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jonthue Michel

aiting & Still Waiting, Hoping & Still Believing.

Time can't measure His mercy, Neither can man understand His pain.

Slow to wrath & quick to forgive us, Quick to heal & faithful to cleanse us.

Even when we delay in accepting His name, He is still at the door, knocking & desiring that we be saved. Even when we treat him as a stranger, He still waits for us to see him as a friend. Even when we hate him as an enemy, He still waits for us to see Him as He is. Suffering long, longer than a precious mother with a tempered child, Enduring the blows we place on Him with every sin & denial. Love suffers long, He suffers long.

But yet though the treatment we had given Him, He still is kind & speaks words of love. He suffered long though the constant crucifixion by our doubt & sin, He suffered long though the pain He endured by constant rejection of Him. He had suffered so long, He bore with us so long. Who are we to treat others less, When Jesus was treated as we deserve that we may receive what we didn't deserve. We should suffer long with others, because He suffered long with us. We should bare long with others, because He bore long with us. Still, our arms should be always open wide, because His arms were always open to us who were once His lost children We should be kind through this waiting time, Because He was kind to us when we gave him a hard time. We should love one another even when wronged, because He loved us even when we had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Waiting & Still Waiting, Hoping & Still Believing. Time can't measure His mercy, Neither can man understand His pain. Slow to wrath & quick to forgive us, Quick to heal & faithful to cleanse us. Even when we delay in accepting His name, He is still at the door, knocking & desiring that we be saved. Do we show others the same? 13

IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST

Longsuffering â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ikemba Balogu

“THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE [THAT IS, “THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING”], AS SOME MEN COUNT SLACKNESS; BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TO US-WARD, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO

repentance…

ongsuffering is, without question, a rare virtue in the world today. And this is so because of the simple fact that it is not of this world. It is not of the spirit of this world and therefore, it is rarely manifested in it.

But Jesus Christ, who is not of this world, has established an organization in this world and yet not of this world. Concerning this organization, He has said: “They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world” (John 17:14, 16). And in another place He speaks to each member of this same organization: “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19). This organization, “the body, the church” (Col. 1:18) has “not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God” (1 Cor. 2:12) who is none other than the “the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven” (1 Pet. 1:12).

Moreover, in this organization, “by one Spirit are we ALL baptized into one body” “which is the church” (1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:24). Every member, therefore, being baptized into the church by the Spirit, will bear the fruit of the Spirit. And “the fruit of the Spirit is… longsuffering” (Gal. 5:22). But “if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ”—if any man will not be longsuffering to or bear patiently with the faults of his brother—“he is none of His” (Rom. 8:9). For this reason, longsuffering can only be truly manifested in the world by the church. Christ, as the head of the church and consequently, as her su15

preme exemplar, has given each member among her ranks immutable counsel in Matthew 18:15-17 as to how each is to be longsuffering with one another: “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother” (Matt. 18:15). Mark that, the Lord does not say go to another person aside from the brother who has committed the fault and complain or gossip about the fault to that other person. Nor are we instructed to even express that fault to another person. But we are told to go directly to that brother and speak with him privately concerning the fault. Furthermore, “brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the Spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). Those who are “spiritual” because they have “the Spirit of meekness” are the only ones who are instructed to go and speak with their brother privately. For the one and constant purpose of being longsuffering with our brother is to “restore” and “gain” him back to the fold. That is to say, the brother, by his fault, has separated himself from the flock and it falls upon his spiritual brethren to suffer long with him in order to “restore” and “gain” him back to the fold. Therefore, “take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3, 4). “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matt. 18:16, 17). Now, Peter, after hearing the words of Christ, inquired how often he should forgive and be longsuffering toward his brother’s faults. We read a few verses down in the same passage of scripture where the Lord, clearing pointing his disciple to a prophecy in the book of Daniel as an illustration of the longsuffering of God toward Israel, said: “I say not unto thee: until seven times; but until seventy times seven” (vv. 22). 16

The words of Christ made such an indelible impression upon the mind of Peter that he began to see the longsuffering of God in two other prophecies of Scripture. The first prophecy is that which was fulfilled during the time of Noah and the age of the antediluvians. And when Peter was moved by the Holy Ghost to write concerning that time before the flood in his first epistle, he wrote: “Once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water” (1 Pet. 3:20). The second prophecy is that which is yet to be fulfilled during our time. In 2 Peter 3:1-7, Peter refers to the promise of the second coming of Jesus Christ. And he says that “in the last days”, there will be unbelieving “scoffers”, mocking and jeering at those who believe in the imminent return of Christ because they are “willingly ignorant” of the creative, destructive, and preserving power of the word of God. But then Peter turns his attention to the believers who will live “in the last days” and admonishes them with these words: “But, beloved, BE NOT IGNORANT OF THIS ONE THING... the Lord is not slack concerning His promise [that is, “the promise of His coming”], as some men count slackness; but is LONGSUFFERING to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance… Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the LONGSUFFERING of our Lord is salvation” (2 Pet. 3:8, 9, 14). This apparent delay in the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus Christ’s second coming is verily a manifestation of the long suffering of God who is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” so that He can save them, “the LONGSUFFERING of our Lord is salvation.” Have you not seen the longsuffering of God in your own life? Will you not now receive His longsuffering, which to you, is “salvation”? And when you have received it, will you not manifest it toward others who have committed a fault against you because to them, it is restoration and “salvation”?

17 17

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace. Discord and strife are the work of Satan and the fruit of sin. If we would as a people enjoy peace and love, we must put away our sins; we must come into harmony with God, and we shall be in harmony with one another. Let each ask himself: Do I possess the grace of love? Have I learned to suffer long and to be kind? Talents, learning, and eloquence, without this heavenly attribute, will be as meaningless as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Alas that this precious treasure is so lightly valued and so little sought by many who profess the faith!"

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Flaxseed

BEAUTY CARE FOR LUSCIOUS HAIR & BODY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Akilah Ballard

iny, yet powerful, flaxseedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity has been increasing rapidly as its superpower health benefits are being discovered. In fact the properties found in flaxseed may help fight heart disease, diabetes and cancer.1 There are many amazing health benefits of flaxseed, but two have been foremost in advancing its fame. What are these amazing properties?

1. Omega-3 essential fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are essential because our bodies cannot function without them. They are a vital component of cell membranes throughout the body and affect the function of the cell receptors in these membranes.2 As our bodies are not able to make omega-3 fats from scratch, an outside source is needed for its supply. The ALA, alphalinolenic acid, type is found in plant-based sources such as nuts (especially walnuts), seeds and leafy greens. One of the noted benefits of these fats is its contribution to cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids’ ability to lower levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream as well as lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and improve HDL (good cholesterol) is associated with reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease. 2. Lignans Lignans are compounds found in plant cells. What makes Lignans so special? They have two powerful cancer fighting qualities: phytoestrogen (a class of plant nutrient) and antioxidants. The similarities in molecular structure of phytoestrogen with estrogen allow for phytoestrogens to mildly mimic and sometimes act as antagonists of estrogen, thus having a balancing effect of estrogen levels in the body.3 Lignans also reduce the amount of both glucose and lipids in the blood, helping to reduce the risk of diabetes.4 Lignans are most abundant in flaxseeds but can be found in other seeds as well as whole grains (like sesame and pumpkin seeds, rye, oats and barley). How do I get the benefits? There are many ways to add flaxseed to your diet to receive its health benefits. Do grind it first for consumption otherwise the whole seed may pass through the intestinal tract undigested. Add it to smoothies, soups, salads or even use it as a binder or as an egg substitute in baking. But don’t stop there! Flaxseed may even be used in beauty care regimens for promoting fast hair growth and moisture retention! Flaxseed & Hair • Growth: Flaxseeds are full of vitamins (including vitamin E) that nourish hair follicles and encourage stronger, healthier new growth. • Elasticity: The omega-3 fatty acids have been

noted to increase the hair elasticity. The fats nourish the hair shaft and follicles making them stronger and less prone to damage which means less breakage. • Condition: Flaxseeds bind moisture to the hair shaft, thus helping to keep the hair moisturized, smooth and manageable. Making your own flaxseed gel provides a great alternative to commercial gels as it is free of harmful chemicals and still provides a wonderful hold. Here’s a great recipe: Akilah’s Luscious Flaxseed Hair Gel Recipe Ingredients: ¼ cup whole flaxseed 2 ¼ cups water Clean pantyhose or cheesecloth Salad tong 2 drops each of lavender essential oil and vitamin E oil (as a preservative) Additional essential oils of choice (for a yummy scent) Instructions: Combine flaxseed and water in a small pot and bring to boil on medium heat. Continuously stir the mixture to prevent the seeds from sticking to the pot and for a more even mixture. Boil until consistency thickens and a mucus gel forms. Collect the gel and strain the seeds by placing a clean pantyhose into a container. Pour the gel into the pantyhose and squeeze with a salad tong to strain off the gel from the seeds. Add essential oils to gel. Allow to cool and then place and keep in the refrigerator. The gel will keep for approximately two weeks in the fridge. Use flaxseed hair gel to style your hair as desired. 1. Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, “The Benefits of Flaxseed.” WebMD. Accessed May 13, 2018. https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed#1. 2. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution.”Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Accessed May 13, 2018. https://www. hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-andcholesterol/types-of-fat/omega-3-fats/. 3. Gary Adams, “12 Amazing Health Benefits of Flaxseed.” Natural Food Series, last modified March 13, 2018. Accessed May 13, 2018. https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/12-benefits-flaxseed/. 4. Ibid.

DEALING WITH OTHERS: ENDURING AND RESPONDING – Ola Aladenika

“B

ut the fruit of the Spirit is… longsuffering, gentleness…” (Gal. 5:22). When looking at the fruit of the Spirit, we would do well to keep in mind that we are looking at attributes of God. He desires for us to reflect this character and thus bear this fruit. The Bible has so much to say when it comes to the longsuffering of God. “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” (2 Pet. 3:9, emphasis added). To whom is He longsuffering? Towards us, sinners. God is patient with sinful humanity, and we should be as well. This is the fruit that He wants to produce in us. But God’s longsuffering is not something that is

isolated. Many times in scripture when God is mentioned as longsuffering, it also mentions two other attributes. “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth...” (Exod. 34:6, emphasis added), “but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger [the same word as longsuffering]…” (Neh. 9:17, emphasis added). “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psa. 103:8, emphasis added). Seeing how this is consistent throughout scripture, we do God a disservice when we separate His longsuffering from His grace and mercy. “Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings.”1 How remarkable is that? God desires us to exercise this same grace,

"GOD IS

patient

WITH SINFUL HUMANITY, AND WE SHOULD BE AS WELL."

this same mercy, this same longsuffering to those who do not deserve it. But how are we to act while “suffering long”? Are we to manifest impatience while being “patient”? Can we be rude while exercising “grace” toward undeserving human beings? It is one thing to be longsuffering, but it is an entirely different thing to be kind, courteous, merciful, and gentle while exercising this patience. This is why gentleness is also needed, and comes from the same source, the Holy Spirit. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17, emphasis added). How do we receive this gentleness? By receiving wisdom from above. How do we receive this wisdom? Just by simply asking! “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). “The same interest and tenderness and long-suffering that He has manifested toward us, we are to manifest toward others.”2 It is not enough just to endure or put up with others, but we must respond in a gentle way. True strength is not measured by how physically strong or aggressive one is. “Many mistake strong passions for a strong character, but the truth is that he who is mastered by his passions is a weak man. The real greatness of the man is measured by the power of the feelings that he controls, not by those that control him.”3 “He that is slow to anger [longsuffering] is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32, emphasis added). Being able to hold your tongue when someone crosses you, is strength. Being able to be kind when someone wrongs you is strength. Look at the example of Jesus; “He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul.”4 Our gentleness

in words can save us from many problems; but on the flip-side, harsh words can create or make problems worse. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). There will be times in our experience when it seems like we have suffered long enough. What are we to do then? “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). God, who is longsuffering, saw that humanity had reached the bounds of His longsuffering. And God, in an act of mercy, decided to put an end to the wickedness and stop the tide of moral evil by sending a flood to destroy the planet. But even in this act, even when the longsuffering of God reached its limit, He still showed mercy. He provided a means of escape to any who desired. He did not give them just one chance, but gave them 120 years of warning and opportunities to “get on board” before it was too late and the Lord shut in all who had decided to receive His extended mercy. At all points we are to be like Jesus. We are be longsuffering towards those who don’t deserve mercy and gentle in how we treat them. But let’s not forget that of ourselves, this is impossible (see John 5:30). We need to be connected to the Vine, Christ Jesus, that we may bear this fruit. As Christ did, we must do. “His arm is not shortened that it cannot save”; in fact, “His hand is stretched out still” (Isa. 59:2; 5:25). Let us with longsuffering, gently, by God’s grace extend the hand of mercy to others. 1. Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), 161. 2. Ibid, 162. 3. Ibid. Patriarchs and Prophets (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1890), 567. 4. Ibid. The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), 353.

Forgiven & Forgiving – Lawron Delisser

Life 24

in my early twenties taught me that selfishness and longsuffering will never meet. No, I’m not talking about the blatantly obvious ‘this is my cookie, you can’t have any’ selfishness. I’m speaking of the selfishness that clothes itself in self-love and self-preservation.

The very essence of longsuffering is suffering. It requires a relinquishing of your own comfort, desires and satisfaction in order to extend grace and forbearance to another. It requires each to “esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3). It compels forgiveness, offering the other cheek, trusts in God’s justice and judgment and it, quite frankly, is nearly impossible to exercise it without the mind of Christ.

With all these requisites, I am probably the least qualified to speak concerning its application. I do, however, find myself to be quite well versed in receiving its benefits. I was born and raised in the church. While my parents didn’t know everything about the message, they applied what they knew. I participated in various church related activities, and most of my friends at the time were from my church. At the age of 17 everything changed––I went to college. My college was located within walking distance of the church that I grew up in, a bus ride from my grandmother, and a fairly short car ride from home. I was as physically close as I could be, but I spent the next 4.5 years emotionally and spiritually estranged from my family and my God. Those years, ones that I now look back on with compunction and penitence, were marked with profanity, alcohol, drugs, parties, police encounters, violence, sex, pride and all the other works of the flesh identified in Galatians 5. This pattern, although slightly tempered, continued into my early 20s. What never changed was the Holy Spirit’s pursuit of me and the prayers of my parents. At the age of 25 I was re-baptized. I am a living and breathing example of the goodness and longsuffering of God. It is a relief to know that our shortcomings, when we confess and repent, are not only forgiven, they are not held against us. I consider the story in John 8 of the woman caught in adultery. Can you imagine the guilt and shame that she carried? She did not need to be exposed by the Pharisees, for her sins were exposed to her daily. It was in that state of despair that Jesus ministered to her deepest longing for pardon and released her from the bonds of Satan. To this women life came when Jesus said, “Where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee ... Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more” (John 8:10, 11). By being the recipient of such a gift, it becomes impossible to withhold it from others. Speaking on the matter of forgiveness received, the book Christ Object Lessons says this: “‘But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ Matthew 6:15. Nothing can justify an unforgiving

spirit. He who is unmerciful toward others shows that he himself is not a partaker of God's pardoning grace. In God's forgiveness the heart of the erring one is drawn close to the great heart of Infinite Love. The tide of divine compassion flows into the sinner's soul, and from him to the souls of others. The tenderness and mercy that Christ has revealed in His own precious life will be seen in those who become sharers of His grace.”1 In the original Greek, the word ‘longsuffering’ has several meanings, some of them are forbearance, patience, endurance, perseverance, and slowness in avenging wrongs. I know each of them well. I saw the patience of God through my father as he listened to me tell him why I wasn’t a Christian. I saw His endurance in my mother who always prayed for me even when I didn’t think I needed it. I saw His slowness in avenging wrongs when I received lesser legal punishments than my actions warranted. I saw His forbearance in the various ways that He spared my life in order to give me an opportunity to be saved. God is love and He is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering” (Exod. 34:6). “We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, ‘With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.’ Matthew 7:2.”2 If you have not received the forgiveness of God for the sins of your past, I encourage you to claim it for yourself. The word of God says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). One of His promises is that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness is freely given and as we accept the forgiveness of God, we are able to give it to others. Love covers the multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). 1. Ellen G. White, Christ Object Lessons (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald Pub. Assn, 1900), 251. 2. Ibid.

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