In a world that seems to be spiraling into chaos, where injustice appears to reign and evil often goes unchecked, it’s easy to wonder: “God, how much longer will You tolerate this?” We may find ourselves impatient, angry, or discouraged by the state of affairs around us. But what if our perspective is misaligned with God’s? What if there’s a profound purpose behind what seems like divine inaction?
The attribute of God that is most prominently on display during the current dispensation of grace is His longsuffering nature. This characteristic of God, often overlooked or misunderstood, holds the key to understanding our times and our role within them.
Longsuffering, as defined by Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, is “bearing injuries or provocations for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.” It’s an attribute that goes against our natural inclinations. In a world of instant gratification, where we get frustrated by slow internet connections or long lines at the grocery store, the concept of longsuffering can feel foreign and uncomfortable.
Yet, this is precisely the attribute that God is calling us to embrace and embody in this dispensation of grace.
Throughout Scripture, we see longsuffering as a fundamental characteristic of God. In Exodus 34:6, when God reveals Himself to Moses, He proclaims, “… The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” This isn’t just an Old Testament concept. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 2:4, reminds us that it is “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” that leads people to repentance.
God’s longsuffering nature is not a sign of weakness or indecision. Rather, it’s a deliberate choice rooted in His love and desire for all to come to salvation. As Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
This divine patience was perfectly exemplified in God’s treatment of Saul of Tarsus. Here was a man actively persecuting the Jewish kingdom church of early Acts, “breathing out threatenings and slaughter” against the disciples of Christ. By all human standards, Saul deserved swift judgment. Instead, God extended mercy, grace, and longsuffering, transforming the chief of sinners into the Apostle Paul, a powerful instrument for the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul himself recognized this, writing in 1 Timothy 1:16, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” God’s dealings with Paul set a precedent for how He would interact with humanity throughout this dispensation of grace.
So what does this mean for us today? How should we respond to God’s longsuffering nature in a world that seems to be growing increasingly darker?
First, we must recognize that longsuffering is not just a divine attribute to admire from afar. It’s a fruit of the Spirit that we are called to cultivate in our own lives. Galatians 5:22-23 lists longsuffering among the characteristics that should mark the life of a believer, alongside love, joy, peace, and others.
This isn’t something we can manufacture through sheer willpower. It’s a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians reflects this truth: “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11). We need the Holy Spirit’s work in us to embody this attribute truly.
Secondly, we must understand that longsuffering is intricately connected with “charity.” In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul begins his description of love with these words: “Charity suffereth long…” (1 Corinthians 13:4). When we struggle to be patient, when we find ourselves wanting God to bring swift judgment on the wicked, we must remember that longsuffering is an expression of divine love.
Lastly, we need to align our perspective with God’s. Every day that passes is not a sign of God’s slackness or indifference. It’s an opportunity for more people to hear Paul’s gospel and be saved. Our impatience often stems from a limited, earthly viewpoint. God’s longsuffering invites us to adopt an eternal perspective, recognizing that His timing is perfect and His ways are higher than ours.
This doesn’t mean we become passive in the face of evil or injustice. Rather, it means we approach these challenges with a different spirit – one of patience, endurance, and hope. We continue to pray for justice, work for righteousness, and share the gospel, all while trusting in God’s word.
In practical terms, cultivating longsuffering might look like:
- Extending grace to those who frustrate or oppose us, remembering how God has been patient with us.
- Persevering in prayer for loved ones who seem far from God, trusting in His timing for their salvation.
- Continuing to do good and speak truth, even when it seems to fall on deaf ears.
- Maintaining hope and joy in the midst of trials, knowing that God is working “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)
As we embrace God’s attribute of longsuffering and allow it to shape our lives, we become powerful witnesses to a watching world. In a culture of instant gratification and quick tempers, our patience and endurance can be a compelling testimony to the transforming power of the gospel.
Let us, therefore, not grow weary in doing good. Let us not lose heart when evil seems to prosper or when our prayers seem to go unanswered. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, ” who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,” (Hebrews 12:2). In doing so, we align ourselves with God’s heart and purposes for this age of grace, becoming ambassadors of His longsuffering love to a world in desperate need of it.
Pastor Bryan Ross
Grace Life Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
October 3, 2025
Resources For Further Study
69) Galatians 5:22 The Fruit Of The Spirit, Part 5 (Longsuffering)