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Bear With One Another

Bear With One Another

Bear With One Another.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2, NIV).

Bear With: to put up with; to make allowances for; to willingly endure; forbearance; to tolerate; to have patience with; to accept despite weaknesses in another.

a. If there’s one thing we know about each other, it’s that we are all mixed bags, full of good qualities as well as all kinds of weaknesses, faults, and vulnerabilities. We remain imperfect no matter where we are on the ladder of maturity. We all have weak moments, when our humanity is showing. If we aren’t careful, we can dwell on another’s faults, or our own, zeroing in relentlessly on another’s, or our own, weaknesses. But in order to maintain unity in the Body of Christ, or keep harmony in our homes and neighborhoods, Christ calls us to make allowances for each other, to be patient with each other’s imperfections. This is a choice we can make through the power of the Holy Spirit… We can put up with each other for the sake of peace and growth, we can love each other despite our faults. Or, of course, we can focus on each other’s frailties and watch as Christian bonds break asunder. This is especially difficult when someone’s faults push all our wrong buttons, when a particular weakness consistently tries our patience. We need to work through personality conflicts and pet peeves. We need to make allowances for personal quirks and the annoying habits of others. Talk this through lovingly with each other, and grow through these things. That’s why we need the indwelling Spirit to strengthen all of us to bear with one another, in order to bring maturity in us and develop harmony in the Body. Bear and forbear, in patience, humility, and a spirit of forgiveness.

b. “Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.” (Colossians 3:13, TPT).

“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3, NASB).

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13, NIV).

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2, NIV).

“Therefore, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another.” (Colossians 3:12-13, NKJ).

“Accept life with humility and patience, making allowances for one another because you love one another.” (Ephesians 4:2, Phillips).