“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;” (Isaiah 65:2)
I am not sure that many of us fully understand what the word longsuffering means, especially when it concerns billions of people over thousands of years. It is one thing for us to be longsuffering, patient with a single person who will not listen, much less apply truth, but for the Almighty to have done this with every single person ever born is unfathomable to us.
“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:11)
Since the day Adam sinned, all of us have gone astray, and I do not speak only of the wicked here, but of all those since him who lived their lives in obedience to His will. We may be the righteousness of God in Christ, we will be presented to Him unblameable, but every day in some way we sin, and while there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, there are still consequences for our sinful actions.
There are two ways to raise up pets, as well as children, the first and always foremost is love, care, compassion and concern, everything that can possibly be done to correct them and guide them in the proper path must always be done with these in mind, and we are longsuffering in that endeavor. But when they do not listen, when they continue to disobey and refuse instruction, there is another way that always works, pain.
“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.” (Prov. 23:13)
The continuous repetition of sinning and repenting of sins is not the life of one who has truly been born-again.
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)
But you must realize this truth, even when we repent in dust and ashes with a broken and contrite heart, there will be consequences to our sins, there will be pain. And you must also realize this truth as well, those consequences at times will fall upon others while you yourself may be spared, save for the heavy weight of the knowledge that it was your fault.
“Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.” (2nd Sam. 12:14)
Korah sinned, and his entire family paid the price along with him, the Lord of Glory was crucified, in part, because of the jealousy of the Pharisees, and the entire nation paid the price.
The problem with us stiff-necked people is that many times true repentance only arrives in our hearts after the pain has been inflicted, love, His continuous love for us, is apparently not enough for us to remain steadfastly on the path.
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Because we are tempted and we fall, because we listen to our old sinful nature, because we presuppose on His longsuffering, believing those little sins are not worthy of His attention, because we believe that He loves us too much to bring pain of any type into our lives.
Love, care, compassion and concern, these were showered upon Judas Iscariot for three and a half years, and today he knows pain that you will never experience.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7)
Longsuffering my friends does not imply eternal suffering from the Lord, His patience, especially with those He has chosen for Himself, comes to an end at times, you will reap what you have sown. Push Him to the limit and you will find this truth out for yourself.
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Heb. 12:6)
And after the fact we praise Him even more, we offer thanksgiving for His loving correction, we learn and continue on the path.
It has always been so with those who trust in His mercies.
