Forbearing in love is a choice we make in our thinking. We know the love of God, therefore we purpose to share the love of God. We have received the Word of love, so we can accept people in love. We bear afflictions (2 Thessalonians 1:4), and we endure hardships (1 Corinthians 4:12).

Forbearance works itself out joyfully, happily, peacefully, and kindly. We forbear because of inwrought grace, humility, and our retroactive life in the Word and the Spirit. Our state corresponds to our standing; our walk reproduces our talk. We realize that our position has become our condition. Our fellowship with each other relates to our relationship with Christ through the Finished Work.

This is a necessity in our service and in our relationships, but it is something we cannot do in our own strength. The Christian who forbears in love has love working in him. It is a direct result of the Word of God he has received in his heart.