Topical Bible: God: Longsuffering of, Abused

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The concept of God's longsuffering is a profound theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His patience and enduring love towards humanity despite their continual disobedience and sin. The term "longsuffering" is often synonymous with patience and forbearance, highlighting God's willingness to delay judgment and extend mercy.

Biblical Foundation

The longsuffering nature of God is evident from the earliest narratives of the Bible. In the account of Noah, God demonstrates His patience with a corrupt world, giving humanity 120 years to repent before the flood (Genesis 6:3). This period of grace underscores God's desire for repentance rather than immediate judgment.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter emphasizes God's longsuffering as an opportunity for salvation: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). This passage highlights God's enduring patience as an expression of His desire for all to turn from sin and embrace salvation.

Abuse of God's Longsuffering

Despite God's patience, humanity has often abused His longsuffering, mistaking it for indifference or weakness. This abuse is evident in the repeated cycles of sin and rebellion throughout Israel's history. The Israelites frequently turned away from God, worshiping idols and breaking His commandments, yet God continued to extend His mercy and call them back to Himself.

The prophet Jeremiah lamented the people's disregard for God's patience: "They have turned their back to Me and not their face; yet in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us!’" (Jeremiah 2:27). This reflects a pattern of taking God's patience for granted, only seeking Him in times of distress.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against presuming upon God's kindness and patience: "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). Here, Paul underscores the purpose of God's longsuffering as a means to lead individuals to repentance, not as an excuse to continue in sin.

Consequences of Abusing God's Longsuffering

The Bible is clear that while God is patient, His longsuffering is not infinite. The abuse of His patience ultimately leads to judgment. In the days of Noah, the flood came as a consequence of humanity's persistent wickedness despite God's extended patience (Genesis 7:11-12). Similarly, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile were consequences of Israel's continued rebellion and disregard for God's warnings through the prophets.

Jesus Himself warned of the consequences of abusing God's patience in the parable of the wicked tenants, where the tenants repeatedly mistreated the landowner's servants and ultimately killed his son (Matthew 21:33-41). This parable illustrates the eventual judgment that comes upon those who persist in rejecting God's overtures of grace.

God's Longsuffering as a Call to Repentance

Throughout Scripture, God's longsuffering serves as a call to repentance. It is an invitation to turn from sin and embrace His mercy. The prophet Joel urged the people to return to God, emphasizing His gracious and compassionate nature: "Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (Joel 2:13).

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, consistently points to God's patience as an opportunity for salvation. In 1 Timothy 1:16, he reflects on his own experience of God's mercy: "But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life" .

In summary, the longsuffering of God is a testament to His enduring love and desire for all to come to repentance. However, the abuse of this divine patience leads to inevitable judgment, underscoring the importance of responding to God's call with humility and repentance.

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Nehemiah 9:28-31
But after they had rest, they did evil again before you: therefore left you them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard them from heaven; and many times did you deliver them according to your mercies;
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Proverbs 1:24-27
Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
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Proverbs 29:1
He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
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Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
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Matthew 24:48-51
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming;
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Luke 13:6-9
He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
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Library

The Hindrances to Mourning
... But, alas, how is this patience abused! God's longsuffering hardens. Because God
stops the vial of his wrath, sinners stop the conduit of tears. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... to avenge himself of his adversaries, a God who knows ... exhibit riches of goodness
and forbearance and longsuffering; yet this ... "Lord, we have long abused thy love ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

2 Cor. Iv. 8, 9
... For who are at in rest, they that have abused this present life, or they that ... "For
God is a righteous Judge, and strong, and longsuffering, and visits not ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily ix 2 cor iv.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... 473]255; His care always to show Himself Inseparable from God, [474]ib ... His humility
and meekness our example, [554]311, [555]313; His longsuffering with His ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... and it was no small aggravation of it, that they had abused the intimacy ... and execution
of which is delayed only by the longsuffering and patience of God. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

The Witness of the Spirit
... use the expressions which have been so terribly abused? ... to all mankind, and full
of gentleness and longsuffering. ... outward mark of the children of God, which is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 10 the witness of.htm

The Exaltation of Christ
... He is slandered, abused, persecuted! ... What if God, willing to show his wrath, and
to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exaltation of christ.htm

A Blast of the Trumpet against False Peace
... heaven; be wise, turn thee unto God whom thou hast abused. ... are men that are given
up by God, justly given up ... They have passed the boundary of his longsuffering. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a blast of the trumpet.htm

A Canticle of Love
... Yet God went beyond my dream; I only asked for one brother who would remember me
each day at the Holy Altar, and He has united me in the bonds of spiritual ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon. 'Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.'"John 1:13. ... go tell God of it. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm