“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Understanding Forbearance
Forbearance is a beautiful expression of love and patience. When we think about forbearance, we recognize that it goes hand in hand with forgiveness and understanding. It’s about showing grace to others, especially when they might not deserve it. The Bible calls us to be patient and to allow our hearts to soften toward one another. Each of us has moments where we falter and need the kindness of forbearance. We all stumble, and forbearance reminds us to be human together, growing in Christ’s love. As we embrace forbearance, we reflect God’s character in our lives, demonstrating His love and mercy to others.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2
Romans 2:4
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” – Romans 2:4
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
1 Thessalonians 5:14
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14
The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is tightly linked with forbearance, as extending grace requires us to pardon others for their wrongs. We learn that when we forgive, we’re not just letting others off the hook, but freeing our own hearts from the burden of anger and resentment. This power of forgiveness is continuously taught in Scripture. We should strive to forgive quickly and completely, reflecting the forgiveness we’ve received from God through Jesus. In doing so, our minds become clearer, our spirits lift, and we open doors for healing in relationships. We support each other’s journeys by forgiving the mistakes that come our way, just as God forgives us every day.
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times!'” – Matthew 18:21-22
Patience in Forbearance
Patience is the cornerstone of forbearance. We need to cultivate patience towards one another as we face life’s challenges. Each of us has a unique path, with trials that can vary widely. By practicing patience, we allow others the space to grow, heal, and improve. We also remind ourselves that everyone moves at their own pace. The Bible encourages us to be patient during the storms of life, showing forbearance even when it feels hard. The beauty of patience is that it leads us to deeper connections and authenticity within our relationships with one another as we extend grace in the waiting periods.
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Psalms 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” – Psalms 37:7
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
Psalms 40:1
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” – Psalms 40:1
Colossians 1:11
“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” – Colossians 1:11
Living in Unity
Forbearance teaches us the importance of unity in our communities. As members of the body of Christ, we all play unique roles and have diverse experiences. Practicing forbearance can promote harmony and understanding among us. Each of us encounters disagreements and challenges, and it’s through forbearance that we can learn to appreciate our differences without letting them divide us. Striving for unity means we are willing to put our judgments aside and prioritize love and compassion. This unity reflects God’s heart for His people, and we must commit ourselves to this mission.
Philippians 2:2
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:2
1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
Ephesians 4:3
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
Romans 15:5-6
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 15:5-6
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
Examples of Forbearance in the Bible
Throughout Scripture, we find numerous stories that illustrate the power of forbearance. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, biblical characters faced trials that tested their ability to forgive and show patience. Consider the patience of Job during his difficulties or Joseph’s resilience amid betrayal. These examples inspire us to remain steadfast in our own lives as we model forbearance. God is the ultimate example of patience and forgiveness, and we can learn from His Word how to follow in His footsteps. Let us commit to being forbearant, knowing we are called to reflect the character of Christ.
Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20
James 5:11
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” – James 5:11
Exodus 34:6
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.'” – Exodus 34:6
Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” – Luke 23:34
Romans 15:4
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
God’s Forbearance towards Us
As we reflect on forbearance, we cannot overlook the immense forbearance that God shows towards us. His love is steadfast, and He patiently waits for us to turn to Him. Despite our mistakes or rebellion, God remains loving and forgiving, offering us second chances. Understanding God’s forbearance helps us to extend that same grace to those around us. His Word continually reminds us that despite our shortcomings, He is there with open arms. Embracing this truth compels us to practice the same attitude in our relationships, as we reflect God’s immense love and mercy in our lives.
Psalms 86:15
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” – Psalms 86:15
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Romans 3:25
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.” – Romans 3:25
Isaiah 30:18
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18
Final Thoughts
Forbearance is central to our Christian walk. It calls us to be patient, forgiving, and loving, reflecting God’s character in our interactions with others. As we navigate life, we will encounter challenges that test our ability to show forbearance. However, we are inspired by the countless examples, both in Scripture and in our lives, that remind us of the beauty of extending grace to one another. When we practice forbearance, we create an environment of love, unity, and understanding.
Let us remember that forbearance is a choice we make daily. It is about lifting each other through trials, forgiving when it is tough, and showing patience through life’s storms. Embracing this calls us not only to grow individually but also to strengthen our relationships as we reflect Christ’s love. Together, let us choose forbearance at every opportunity.
If you’re looking for more to encourage your heart, check out the Bible verses about when you’ve been wronged or consider Bible verses about accepting situations to find hope and strength in trying times.