by Tom Wacaster
One of the great attributes of our heavenly Father is, without doubt, His longsuffering toward sinful man. The apostle Peter told us God is “longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Someone once asked, “What is the difference between ‘mercy’ and ‘grace’?” Some years ago I heard the following explanation: “Grace is where God gives us what we do not deserve; mercy is where God does not give us what we do deserve.” All of humanity enjoys the benefits of God’s grace. The very air we breathe, the sunshine each and every morning, and every good gift that God gives in a physical way are a manifestation of His wonderful grace. It was God’s grace that sent His Son and provided instruction in the way of salvation (Titus 2:11). It was God’s grace that established the church and demonstrated the manifold wisdom of God. It is God’s grace that allows men yet another opportunity to repent and obey the gospel, even when they are living in open rebellion. On the other hand, it is God’s mercy that delays the sending of His Son. Justice cries out for divine vengeance, but God delays, and in His delay men are provided yet another access to the wonderful blessings of God. It is God’s mercy that will eventually allow all of the redeemed to escape the punishment of His wrath.
When grace and mercy are combined a most wonderful picture emerges. When writing his letter to the church at Rome the apostle Paul chastised the rebellious Jews and reminded them: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4). The “riches of his goodness” bespeaks God’s amazing grace, while God’s forbearance and longsuffering” point us to His great mercy. The purpose of God’s grace and mercy toward man is not that man might continue in rebellion in hopes that someday he will, by some magical and mystical formula, be allowed to enter into the home prepared for the redeemed. No, by dear friend, God’s grace and mercy are designed to “lead thee to repentance.” His “goodness” bespeaks His deep desire that men obey His will.
The longsuffering of God is not a bottomless pit wherein He will continue to tolerate the foolishness of men. His longsuffering is extended in view of the fact that there may be a few men and women with tender hearts that can be touched by the Gospel. Someone has suggested that God delays the sending of His Son in judgment because in His eternal mind He knows of others who will, when taught, obey. But at that precise moment when the last person who will obey, does in fact obey, the gavel will sound, and the time of judgment will not be in the too distant future. Only God the Father knows of that time. When that moment arrives, God’s patience will be exhausted, and all men will witness the coming of the Lord in judgment. That, my friend, is a most sobering thought!