Bear With One Another

Have you ever noticed that some people are really hard to put up with?  There are an infinite number of things that we have to put up with in relationship with others . . . procrastination, negativity, overly optimistic, lateness, arrogance, self-centeredness, cockiness, talk too much, talk too little, workaholic, laziness, emotional, unemotional, temperamental, irresponsible, rude, mean, sarcastic, fake, grumpy, liar, cheater, dominant, tattle-tale, inflexible, different, etc.  There are times when these bad habits/attitudes, character flaws, and shortcomings in others drive us crazy!  Other people can be really hard to put up with.  But wait, did you notice any of those characteristics in yourself?  I am sure that you were already aware that YOU are really hard to put up with sometimes.  Being in relationship with others often involves putting up with others who do things differently, have a different personality, or have different opinions than we do.

READ:  Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13

Putting up with someone else and being put up with by others is living out Godly Relational Characteristic #8: BEAR with one another!  Bearing with one another in Eph. 4:2 and Col. 3:13 means to, “TOLERATE another through FRUSTRATION or OFFENSE”.  The greek word ανεχω, where we get the word “bear with” has a two primary meanings.  First, “bearing with” means to “hold up” or to “carry the weight of something”.  Therefore, in the context of relationship it means to be ready and willing to, “carry a load of relationship in our arms”.  A second meaning for “bearing with” is to, “hold back” or to “restrain”.  Again, in the context of relationship it means to, “prevent or withhold something”.  Not surprisingly, both of the ideas of “holding up” and “holding back” in relationship can be seen in God’s relationship with us.

READ:  Matthew 17:14-21

Bearing with others is ENDURING through DISCOURAGEMENT and DISAPPOINTMENT –Jesus verbalizes frustration with His disciples’ inability to heal a demon possessed epileptic because of their “little faith”.  After much time spent, teaching, and training, Jesus’ disciples were still not able to do this simple spiritual act of ministry.  In spite of Jesus’ frustration, He does not give up on His disciples, but rather “holds up” the relationship by performing the miracle Himself and reminding them of the faith required to heal. Relationships are filled with frustration.  These frustrating moments with others will cause us to want give up on them and quit.  But instead, in these moments, we are called to “hold up” and “carry” the relationship by enduring through the flaws and shortcomings of others.  Be strong, flex your God-given relational muscles, and don’t let the weight of discouragement and disappointment prevent you from carrying on!

READ:  Romans 2:1-4, 3:23-25

Bearing with others is RESTRAINING ourselves from JUDGMENT – God has restrained Himself from executing the judgment we deserve for the sin and wickedness that is in our lives.  In his “divine forbearance” He withholds the just punishment (death) we deserve for our sin.  If God did not restrain Himself, we would be eternally separated from relationship with Him.  In relationship, there will be those who offend and sin against us.  These moments of offense will cause us to want to render a guilty verdict in their life and condemn them to a relational “death penalty” which often means revenge, holding a grudge, or being bitter.  Instead, in these moments, we are called to “hold back” and “restrain” ourselves by withholding fair punishment or judgment.  Only God is in the position to judge others, we are to be slow to pass judgment when other sin against us!

CONCLUSION
Are you grateful that God is willing to put up with you?  It is God’s divine “putting up with” us that upholds, maintains, and sustains our ability to be (and stay) in relationship with Him!  If we’re grateful that God is willing to bear with us, maybe we should be more willing to bear with others in our lives!