1. Building Character

2. Forbearance Forbearance: “1) to hold up 2) to hold one’s self erect and firm 3) to sustain, to bear, to endure” (Thayer) Put up with (2 Cor 11:19, 20) Longsuffering Forbearance Does not hastily retaliate to avenge wrongdoing The patient endurance that characterizes our treatment of others whether or not wrong has occurred 2

3. Forbearance: Patience and Endurance “Bearing patiently with the foibles, faults and infirmities of others” (Barnes on Eph 4:2) Holding up against pressures that test faith Surrendering self for the spiritual welfare of others requires the ability to be patient with others 3

4. Not approval or accommodation of sin, Rom 3:25; 2:4 Tolerating false teachers rebuked, 2 Cor 11:4, 16-20 Forbearance prepares heart to forgive, Col 3:13 Forbearance will not put up with bitterness of spirit, Eph 5:31 4

5. Treats sinners in a way that they may come to repentance, Rom 2:4 “A suspense of wrath which must eventually be exercised” (Vine); 2 Pet 3:9-10 God’s forbearance, Isa 30:18 Israel, Psa 78:34-39 All sinners, Acts 17:30 A limit, Gen 6:3; Psa 78:56- 64; Acts 17:31 5

6. Not deterred by opposition, 1 Pet 2:19- 20; 4:12-16 How can we be forbearing in the face of trials? Commit our souls to God, 1 Pet 4:19; 5:7 Focus on our hope of eternal glory, 1 Pet 5:10 6

7. Uphold those weak in personal faith, 1 Pet 2:1-3 Giving them a chance to grow and become strong Heb 12:12 Bear with the weak in conscience, Rom 15:1; 14:5 Do not force opinions Respect their conscience, 1 Cor 8:7-13 7

8. Bear with it, 2 Tim 4:3 (Rev 2:2) Agree to it without demanding our desires Bear with the word of exhortation, Heb 13:21-22 By accepting and obeying it 8

9. Requires an unselfish heart that endures the moment, 1 Cor 13:7 Parents and children Elders and members Christians, Eph 4:2-3 Requires expenditure of time and therefore, is patient, Psa 78:37-39 (1 Jno 4:10-11) 9

10. Holds us up when we are ready to fall Rebukes us lovingly to correct us and is patient with us while we correct our sins Should move us to repent of our sins against him (Rom 2:4) Sample Fill 10