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Our own existence here is a proof of the longsuffering of God. By our apostasy we have forfeited all title to His favour and protection. That sentence, however, is not yet executed.

I. THE STATEMENT OF THE TEXT IS TO BE CONSIDERED GENERALLY AS A LAW, OR RULE, OR PRINCIPLE, OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT. The longsuffering of God is salvation, not directly in itself, but indirectly in subordination to a fixed plan and purpose of salvation. It is not the longsuffering of God that saves a single sinner, but the love of God in Christ; and His longsuffering contributes to the sinner's salvation in no other way than by placing within his reach, and pressing upon his acceptance, the gospel overtures of mercy. God has but one method of saving sinners. It is not His longsuffering that saves them, but that grace for the exercise of which, on their behalf, His longsuffering affords scope and space. On this point be not deceived. Consider not God as acting merely from the impulse, so to speak, of personal feelings of compassion, when He spares. Regard Him as sustaining a public, an official character, in which He has high authority to vindicate, and good government to maintain. True, He is full of tenderest feelings of pity to you personally; but, then, as a judge may not gratify his personal feelings as a man, without reference to his state and duty as a judge upholding law and order, so God, in His compassionate regard to you, lays not aside His regard to the claims of His own sovereignty, and the sanctity of His own administration. The very giving up of His Son to be sin for you is the proof also of His concern for the honour and the majesty of that justice which was to be preserved untarnished at such a cost. It is in the character of a just God and a Saviour that He is longsuffering; not in relenting pity, reversing His sentence of judgment. This great salvation He now offers to you. Be not so infatuated as to think you may dispense with it.

II. THIS LAW or principle of the Divine government, that the longsuffering of God is to be accounted the salvation of man, MAY BE APPLIED TO THE CASE OF TEMPORAL JUDGMENTS, and may explain the Lord's method of dealing with us in regard to those evils to which, even in this life, as sinners we are exposed.

1. God, in sending temporal judgments, often gives previous warning, and interposes delay, that by timely precautions they may be averted; and in this sense His longsuffering is to be accounted salvation. Do your part to render harsher measures needless, by taking warning in time.

2. There is another way in which the longsuffering of God is manifested in the sending of temporal judgments. He gives us time, not perhaps to avert them altogether, but yet so to prepare for their coming, that, when they do come, they shall come as fatherly chastisements, not as judgments in fact at all, but as mercies. And, in this sense — a far higher and more important sense than is implied in the removal of any temporal calamity — the longsuffering of God is to be accounted salvation.

III. But the most important view for us to take of the maxim of our text is IN ITS APPLICATION TO THAT JUDGMENT OF ETERNAL WRATH IN THE LIFE TO COME, TO WHICH WE STAND EXPOSED. Here it is especially that the longsuffering of our Lord is to be accounted salvation. In this view of it, our text suggests the true explanation of that most perplexing of all enigmas — the present state of sinners on the earth seeming to be tolerated by a holy and righteous God. It is a state, we now see, in which God is longsuffering that man may be saved. Be it remembered, however, it is only a respite, and a respite which does not by any means or of necessity imply an ultimate reprieve. You are spared for a little, but you are spared for a particular purpose; and if that purpose be not attained, there is no other resource — the sentence must take effect.

(R. S. Candlish, D. D.)

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KJV: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

WEB: Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;