We have a God of mercy, holiness, and perfect righteousness, but he is also a God of forbearance. It’s our best incentive not to sin and our best incentive to quickly repent when we do. Chapter 1 of Romans deals with the sordid detail of the sinful conditions of the world system at that time. It’s the same today because the leader of the world system is still the same devil. In chapter 2 Paul addressed the Jews who rejected Jesus. The group of Pharisees trusted their own religion and righteousness, but it was all hypocrisy.
Romans 2: 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
The religious crowd was so quick to condemn sinners but were guilty themselves. Sin is sin whether it is committed by a Christian or a non-Christian. It is just as wrong to tell a lie as it is to rob a bank. It is just as wrong to be hateful and mean, arrogant and proud, and materialistic as it is to commit murder. Sin is sin to God. We’re guilty of taking God’s mercy for granted. We allow wrong attitudes within us and condemn others while overlooking ourselves. We know better. Let’s take a fresh look at what it means for God to forbear. It will help us be more conscious of God in our lives.
Forbearance is a great attribute. It is said in a way that if we’re not careful we’ll overlook what Paul said about the Lord. There are precious things said about God in verse 4—goodness, forbearance, longsuffering. See the danger of how we treat them. The goodness of God led us to him. He didn’t corner us. We can walk away right now. Solomon is a good example of a gifted man of wisdom gone wrong. He got cold and indifferent. He slipped here and there. He had many wives from other countries that turned his heart from God. His life was a mess. How did it happen? He disregarded the forbearance of God. He overlooked his goodness and longsuffering. These should never be taken for granted. God’s grace is matchless. His mercy endures forever. We even get to the point that we say “God understands that I’m human.” He loves us. He chastens us, but we can get hardened and grow callous. Don’t despise the forbearance of God. It is the undeniable proof of his love.
God has to be overly good to put up with us. We get carnal minded and act in worldly ways. He could turn his back but instead he shows mercy not wrath by his forbearance. How often do you try him? To sin against the Word is bold for a Christian. To deliberately do the opposite is criminal. We’ve all been guilty of this. God loves us in all situations even when he’s displeased with us.
What does forbearance mean? Have you ever put up with something even if you didn’t like it? That’s it. We mix our will in and half way serve him. We don’t please him like we should. Just look at how much he has to put up with. It’s a lot! We’re sometimes guilty of insinuating that it’s God’s fault. Don’t be a troublesome child to God. He’s so good to us, and we don’t deserve it. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. We might not like it all or think things are just like they ought to be, but God never fails. What happens though is that we throw it back at God like a child does a parent. He puts up with it so many times. Don’t despise his goodness. His forbearance brings his goodness.
What do you think? Does God put up with a lot from you in your relationship with him? Many times we say we have to put up with a lot. Poor, pitiful us. We can’t sin like the world. Remember it’s a blessing to be free from all that. It’s a blessing to be a recipient of God’s goodness and forbearance. He’s longsuffering. Instead of tearing us apart, he’s good to us. The most dangerous thing we can do is right here in this verse— despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.
He puts up with us and that fact itself shows how good he is. We run out of patience waiting on him to do what we think he should and all the while he’s more patient that we could ever be. It is his goodness that helps us see the light about ourselves. It brings us to repentance. We serve a God of riches. He’s rich in goodness and forbearance.
We don’t have to ask God to be good to us anymore than we had to ask our parents. How good are you to your heavenly Father? We could all do better. Don’t be slack. Don’t bite the Master’s hand. We have room in our lives to be better to God. Make no mistake. He puts up with a lot.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 