Bearing with one another goes hand in hand with forgiveness. Paul told the saints in Ephesus, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Similarly, he told the Colossian saints, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (3:12-13).
Christians endure with fellow members of the family of God by refusing to speak evil of each other (James 4:11). Christian were warned against grumbling and blaming others for their problems, even though such might have been natural as they endured the great external pressure of persecution. James said such blaming of one another would lead to condemnation. Instead, he told them to always be prepared for the judge’s return by picturing Jesus at the door ready to enter. They would not want to be guilty of wrongful or harsh judgment knowing the Judge was ready to come at any time (James 5:9).
Forbearance likewise might be encouraged by following James’ instruction to “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (5:16). Literally, he was instructing his readers to “keep on confessing” their sins to one another and to “keep on praying” for one another. Observe that no one in the Lord’s church is set above any other one. Each is instructed to confess to one another. Brethren willing to acknowledge their sins and ask for their brothers’ prayers have an attitude of openness that invites each to endure with the other.
None of us can say we are perfect. Each of us stumbles and, at times, offends fellow members of the family of God. Let us resolve to bear with each other in love.
