Previously I examined the question of peace.  We saw that there is a distinct difference in the peace that Jesus promises his followers and the so called peace the world offers.  We also noticed that Paul discusses a kind of formula for this peace in Philipians 4:4-7 and the first thing in the formula is to rejoice. 

Now I would like to move on to the second part of this formula.  Let's reveiw again what Philipians 4:4-7 says.  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let all men know you forbearance.  The Lord is at hand.  Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  If you'll notice the next important word used in this verse is forbearance.  That isn't a word we commonly use in our language today. According to Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words it may also be rendered gentle or patient.  The idea is that one will be fair and reasonable not quick to jump to conclusions but examine all of the evidence and wait to make a proper verdict, one on the basis of compassion and justice.  Personally I prefer the rendering of patients if forbearance doesn't make sense to you.  This rendering seems to make the most sense in the context of the verse and is most equitable with the older word forbearance.  However, it isn't a perfect fit.  In some cases patients doesn't really work.  I'm going to stick with the word forbearance in my discussion because it is probably the best translation from the Greek to English.

However, let's dig a little deeper.  We are told we must let all men know our forbearance, but does the Bible say anything else about forbearance?  What are we supposed to have forbearance regarding? 

 Take a look at Luke 6:29-35.  "To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.  Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again.  And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish."  I know that was quite a chunk of scripture but I really wanted to get this point across.  I want to look beyond the immediate lesson we can take away from these verses to something a bit deeper.  I'm going to go off on a limb here and speculate a bit about human nature.  I see this verse talking about forbearance and love in a kind of perfect harmony.  We are to love the sinner and the person who wrongs us and understand that God loves them too.  We are also to look at every situation as an opportunity to teach someone about the gospel.  So, I would say that what this is really getting at is that we are to veiw everyone as a future bother or sister in the Lord who just hasn't come to that understanding for themselves yet.  In this way we are to demonstrate forbearance towards them and demonstrate the love of God as we wait for them to understand it.  No matter how many times a person wrongs us we are to forbear them and demonstrate the love of God to them waiting for the day when it finally clicks in their heads what we've been doing all along and the implications it has for their own souls.  Let me come at this by asking a few questions. If someone hit you on the cheek how much forbearance would it take for" you to keep from hitting him back?  If someone stole your coat right off your back how much forbearance would it take to keep you from chasing him down and taking it back?  If someone stole everything that you had how much forbearance would it take to keep from demanding that he give it back?  We could go through and ask similar questions about each of the cases stated in these verses.  I see this passage as a demonstration of forbearance in our actions.  With that in mind we must notice that we are to have forbearance regarding our actions not just toward the brethren but to everyone we interact with.  Forbearance must be a way of life.  In Romans 12:17-21 it says, "Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'  No, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.'  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  Forbearance must be demonstrated at all times and most especially with our enemies.  How would your practice forbearance in the following situations?  What if someone cuts you off on the way to work?  What if your friend spreads rumors about you?  There are all kinds of opportunites to let all men know of your forbearance.  There are a few more verses in the bible that speak to the idea of forbearance demonstrated in our actions: Proverbs 16:32; Luke 6:27-30; 1 Peter 3:9.

Next I want to go to Titus 3:2.  "to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men."  We should be forbearing in our speech.  Remember that one of the translations for the greek word in Philippians 4:5 was gentleness.  Gentleness and meekness are used synonymously in the King James Version and other standard versions of the bible.  Again we can see that the idea of forbearance is present.  We are to be level headed, and gracious in our judgements.  That includes judgements about what we decide to say!  The Bible speaks quite a bit about controling our tongues.  Usually, when The Bible speaks a lot about something that is a good indication that it is a problem for most people.  What we say especially in the precence of unbelievers or new Christians is vitally important.  Even if people are speaking poorly of you or someone close to you; you have a responsibility to be forbearing in your speech.  We aren't to speak evil of any man!  I think most often for Christians the most difficult group to be totally forbearing in our speach with is other Christians.  Take a look at 2 Corinthians 12:20, "For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults"  It seems that Christians have a difficult time in being judicious and forbearing in their speech about one another.  Even in the first century with the death of Christ just a few years in the past, the apostles in their midst, prophesies, and miracles happening every day the people were not able to hold their tongues.  You must ask yourself, are you in a better position than these people to resist the tempation to let you speach go ungarded?  1 Peter 3:10 says, "For "the person who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit He must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it..."  Refraining from speaking evil and deceitful things is here equated with a happy life and peace.  We all know how many problems we've created for ourselves by saying unwarrented and even deceitful things.  I think this is a sin that everyone is guilty of.  Well, now that we're all convicted of our sinfulness what do we do about it.  Repent of course.  As always, that is easier said than done.  However, Jude 10 gives us some help in accomplishing our goal of taming our tongues.  "Whatever these people do not understand, they slander. Like irrational animals, they are destroyed by the very things they know by instinct."  That may not seem all that helpful at first glance, but it really is.  The idea is simple; don't talk about what you don't understand.  If you don't have all the facts on an issue don't talk about it!  So, there we are back to the idea of forbearance.  The idea that we are supposed to be judicious, compassionate, gentle, and patient in the things that we say.  It takes practice to become proficient in forbearing speach, but just because something takes work doesn't mean we aren't required to do our very best.  So, think about what you say.  If you mess up admit your mistake and ask forgivness.

One last point.  Take a look at 2 Peter 3:9.  "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance"  Here we see that God is being patient with us, holding off Christ's second coming so that as many people as possible have an opportunity to obey the gospel.  That's an amazing thought.  God has waited all this time in sending Jesus back to end the world just because he wants you and I to have the chance to come into his kingdom.  God has been amazingly forbearing with us.  Think about all of the things that you've done that are outside of God's will.  Nevertheless, he withheld his judgement willing that you would come to him in obedience and submission rather than punishing you for your sins.  In this we see that God has, as usual, given us the greatest example to follow.  He has been forbearing in his preaching, teaching, evangelism, and judgement so that we could have a chance to obey.  We should be applying the same principle to others.  How many times have to met someone for the first time and pronounced judgement on them.  Maybe you haven't verbalized that judgment, but often time we think to ourselves, "That person is really a terrible sinner.  There is no way that he would recieve the gospel.  So, I just won't worry about bringing it up."  In that way we pronouce judgemnt on them immediately and dismiss entirely the example of God to be forbearing, and patient.  We must take every opportunity to teach and be patient for results.  Rarely will you have someone decide to become a Christian after they've heard the gospel one time.  Often times it takes quite a while before individuals truly come to an understanding of their responsibility in the face of God's will.  Furthermore, new Christians aren't always where we think they should should be.  We shouldn't think of these people as being unspiritual or irreverant.  Rather, we should understand that they are simply not as mature.  Like physical maturity, spiritual maturity takes time.  We must be patient with these people, taking every opportunity to instruct, correct, and encourage them.  Not everyone is ready for the "meat" of The Word.  Some people still need to be nourished with "milk".  We can't expect all Christians to be at the same level of understanding as those who've been Christians for a lifetime.  Therefore, be forbearing when unbelievers violate a point of God's will in ignorace.  Take the opportunity for instruction not condemnation.  God was forbearing with you so be forbearing with others.

Therefore, we can see that by an examination of Philippians 4:5 we should practice forbearance.  This may be one of the most difficult parts of this lesson.  I know that for myself, it is very difficult to be forbearing with everyone, and I often fall short.  Nevertheless, I understand that I have a duty to follow God's will on this matter and a resolve to do so.  The benefits of true forbearance with everyone, believers and non-believers alike, are innumberable.  But, as Philippians 4:4-7 says peace will most definately come.

Stay tuned, We still have a great deal more to cover in examining The Formula For Peace!