Longsuffering, forbearance, and perseverance are some terms that are used interchangeably with patience. God has been profoundly patient with us. We must also be patient. The Bible tells us to be patient with God as He fulfills what He has promised and to be patient with other people.
| 2 Peter 3:9-15 |
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation -- as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you. |
| Romans 2:4-8 |
Or
do you despise the riches of His goodness,
forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the
goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in
accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you
are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and
revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who
"will render to each one according to his deeds": eternal
life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek
for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness -- indignation and wrath, |
| Hebrews 12:1,2 |
Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before
us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand
of the throne of God. (KJV) |
| Hebrews 10:36 |
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (KJV) |
| James 5:7-11 |
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it received the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. |
| Colossians 1:9-12 |
For
this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the
knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding; that you may walk worthy of the
Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in
every good work and increasing in the knowledge of
God; strengthened with all might, according to His
glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering
with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has
qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints
in the light. |
| 1 Timothy 6:11 |
But
you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, gentleness. |
| Colossians 3:12,13 |
Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy
and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with
one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has
a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so
you also must do. |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:14 |
Now
we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort
the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with
all. |
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