Two Brothers
A warm fall day found two brothers walking in the sand along the beach, each burdened with shovels and pails. Sitting back-to-back, they began building their dream castles. Soon, the older brother noticed that his brother’s castle didn’t match his own vision. He stopped work on his own creation and dedicated his attention to his brother’s castle.
After a while, the boys were called home, and they left the beach, disgruntled and disappointed. The younger boy didn’t get to build according to his plan, and the older brother didn’t get to finish his castle because he spent too much time correcting his brother.
Two Other Brothers
One day, two preachers worked diligently with their respective congregations. Soon, one noticed the other used different techniques of evangelism. Immediately, the first preacher ceased his work and began a religious paper dedicated to correcting all preachers who didn’t use his evangelistic method. Eventually, he noticed that others also didn’t share his view on another matter. He dedicated the next issue of his paper to why everyone needed to share his particular point of view. Soon the church splintered, and Christ wept at the mutilation of his body.
Similar to the two brothers playing in the sand, a lack of forbearance left in its wake heartache, resentment and unfinished work.
Worthy Walk
Paul pled for Christians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1). A Christian’s walk is his lifestyle, and Paul asked for “worthy” living. What does it take for a Christian walk worthy?
First, disciples must pursue a worthy calling (Eph 4:1). God called all Christians out of the world of darkness and sin (1 Pet 2:9). Once called, Christians dedicate themselves to a separated life devoted to God. When Christians look, talk, and act like the world, they cease being worthy of their calling.
Second, disciples must show worthy character (Eph 4:2). Christian character, like a brilliant diamond, has many shining facets like humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance. Humility views itself with smallness before God and defers to others. Gentleness refuses to retaliate if others view him in a low estate. Patience suffers the infirmities, faults and shortcomings of others. Forbearance forgives others for their insults and slights. Everyone has character flaws that annoy and aggravate, but these four traits act as a solvent to reduce the friction caused by these annoyances.
Sacrifices
In the church, patience and forbearance help maintain peace between Christians. Too many times forbearance is sacrificed on the altar of doctrine. The importance of doctrine can’t be overstated, but personal character must not become a victim of doctrine. Even when exposing error, Christians must exhibit longsuffering and forbearance. For some, however, the length of their longsuffering is a hair’s breadth. These seem to relish conflict over conversion, sarcasm over sincerity, and fighting over forgiveness.
Finally, walking worthily means disciples keep in mind the worthy cause—“the unity of the Spirit in a bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). The unity of the Spirit is a unity based upon the directives of the Holy Spirit—the word of God. In the following verses, Paul gives seven areas of doctrine that produce unity among believers. These planks of unity separate us from the world and other religious groups that don’t accept the truth of these doctrines.
Inside-Out
The bonds of peace rely on the Christian character. Peace in the church depends on saints showing love, patience and forbearance to one another. When Christians remove these buffers, they find reason to be agitated with others—a supposed slight, a tone of voice, a facial expression—many things can ignite the fuse and decimate the bonds of peace.
Christians must be Christians from the inside-out, not just a whitewashed façade of Christianity. The unity Christ prayed for (John 17:20-21) and the peace that God offers (Phi 4:7-9) begin with a Christian character exhibiting humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance.
How are your buffers holding up?
Preaching Minister
