Section 3
to help others, and to afford them the necessary supply. In His forbearance toward us, God cer tainly has given us a rich supply.
God forbears with fallen man for a purpose. His purpose in showing forbearance is to accom plish His economy. If God did not afford man the adequate supply and show forbearance to man, there would be no way for God to fulfill His purpose of accomplishing His economy.
REJOICING IN THE LORD
Forbearance requires maturity and also sat isfaction and contentment. Now we need to see that forbearance is also related to rejoicing in the Lord. In Philippians 4:4 Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." Imme diately after this he says, "Let your forbearance be known to all men." If we do not rejoice in the Lord, we shall not be able to forbear. If we would make known our forbearance, we need to be happy and joyful in the Lord. Those who are sad or sorrowful cannot have forbearance. Instead, they find it easy to be upset, to complain, or to lose their temper. Forbearance in 4:5 is the issue, the result, of rejoicing in the Lord, mentioned in verse 4. From experience we know that rejoicing and forbearing go together.