Some people hear the gospel over and over but never repent. Others are saved but living with willful sin. Deep down inside we don't think that we can get away with sin. Doesn't forget. God doesn't overlook. Is there a limit to God’s patience?
Patience is God's willingness to wait. It's the goodness of God that allows Him to withold punish from those who deserve it.
Exodus 34:4-6, So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD , the LORD , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
God proclaims Himself as a merciful God.
Psalms, David proclaimed over and over the loving-kindness of God.
2 Peter 3:3-9, First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
This was written to those who wondered how to answer skeptics. It explains how God’s “slowness” in bringing ultimate judgment on sinners demonstrates His patience.
God doesn’t let people get away with sin. The penalty of their sin begins to affect them physically, mentally, or emotionally. There is no such thing as God forgetting it or over looking it. Examples in Scripture:
Adam and Eve were immediately punished for their sin. Therefore, some people think they are getting away with sin. Just because we are not punished immediatel after we sin does not mean we are getting away with it. There is no such thing as getting away with sin.
God took the Israelites from bondage, and brought them to the Promised Land. When they sinned, He made them wander 40 years in the dessert.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the prophets were ignored (about Israel's idolatry). The Israelites figured they had special status with God and were immune to punishment. However, Jerusalem was eventually conquered by Babylon and taken captive. When God's judgement comes, when it's time to pay for our sin, be sure that our sin will find us out.
There is a limit to God's patience. Just as God ran out of patience with the nation of Israel, God runs out of patience with individuals. His chastising hand comes upon His children. Be sure your sin will find you out.
1 Timothy 1:12-16, I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
What’s God’s purpose in being patient?
Romans 2:4-5, Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
1. He’s giving rebellious people time to think about it, time to be saved.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
It's dangerous to live in rebellion to God and God's word, yoiu are going down a dangerous path. Some say, to justify their lifestyle, that there is no God. That is foolish.
2. He knows we have a fallen nature. We are disobedient by nature. We have to learn obedience.
3. He knows we are sometimes ignorant of His Word. Too frequently believers are not encouraged to read God's word. That's where we learn about HS.
4. He knows we all have weaknesses.
E. What is the application to our lives?
God is willing for people—even Christians—to suffer so that He gets their attention. He wants to put us in a position so He can show us how to live our lives. We abuse His goodness and love and mercy by rejecting what He desires for us. It’s time for God’s people to stand up and live godly lives, or God will judge this nation, just as He did the nations in the Bible.
Ecclesiastes 8:11, When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.
“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil”
If you aren’t saved, you don’t know if you’ll have another chance to repent and accept Christ as your Savior. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
God is a patient God. But His patience is finite. Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior and Master so you don't wear thin God's patience.
Patience is God's willingness to wait. It's the goodness of God that allows Him to withold punish from those who deserve it.
Exodus 34:4-6, So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD , the LORD , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
God proclaims Himself as a merciful God.
Psalms, David proclaimed over and over the loving-kindness of God.
2 Peter 3:3-9, First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
This was written to those who wondered how to answer skeptics. It explains how God’s “slowness” in bringing ultimate judgment on sinners demonstrates His patience.
God doesn’t let people get away with sin. The penalty of their sin begins to affect them physically, mentally, or emotionally. There is no such thing as God forgetting it or over looking it. Examples in Scripture:
Adam and Eve were immediately punished for their sin. Therefore, some people think they are getting away with sin. Just because we are not punished immediatel after we sin does not mean we are getting away with it. There is no such thing as getting away with sin.
God took the Israelites from bondage, and brought them to the Promised Land. When they sinned, He made them wander 40 years in the dessert.
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the prophets were ignored (about Israel's idolatry). The Israelites figured they had special status with God and were immune to punishment. However, Jerusalem was eventually conquered by Babylon and taken captive. When God's judgement comes, when it's time to pay for our sin, be sure that our sin will find us out.
There is a limit to God's patience. Just as God ran out of patience with the nation of Israel, God runs out of patience with individuals. His chastising hand comes upon His children. Be sure your sin will find you out.
1 Timothy 1:12-16, I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
What’s God’s purpose in being patient?
Romans 2:4-5, Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
1. He’s giving rebellious people time to think about it, time to be saved.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
It's dangerous to live in rebellion to God and God's word, yoiu are going down a dangerous path. Some say, to justify their lifestyle, that there is no God. That is foolish.
2. He knows we have a fallen nature. We are disobedient by nature. We have to learn obedience.
3. He knows we are sometimes ignorant of His Word. Too frequently believers are not encouraged to read God's word. That's where we learn about HS.
4. He knows we all have weaknesses.
E. What is the application to our lives?
God is willing for people—even Christians—to suffer so that He gets their attention. He wants to put us in a position so He can show us how to live our lives. We abuse His goodness and love and mercy by rejecting what He desires for us. It’s time for God’s people to stand up and live godly lives, or God will judge this nation, just as He did the nations in the Bible.
Ecclesiastes 8:11, When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.
“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil”
If you aren’t saved, you don’t know if you’ll have another chance to repent and accept Christ as your Savior. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
God is a patient God. But His patience is finite. Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior and Master so you don't wear thin God's patience.
7 comments:
Hi Jay,
As someone not committed to any religion, I hear this same speech from practically every one of them. How do you know you aren't on thin ice with Allah? Or some other deity?
Hello Robert,
Thanks for your comment.
I may be on thin ice with some of the well know dieties or some unknown diety. But God almighty is just that, almighty. He promises to protect those who put their trust in Him. If I am on thin ice with some other diety, I know the God of the bible is sovereign.
You may say that other dieties promise this. But can they deliver on this promise?
At the end of the day, I know that God tells me that He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords. So if other dieties have issue with where my trust lies, they will have to answer to Him.
As long as I'm not on thin icew with Him, I'm not worried.
Hello again Jay,
Well, your reply has raised a couple more questions:
1) How do you know your god is "king of kings"? Every deity makes the same claim. How can a neutral observer know whose claim is accurate?
2) Do you recognize the existence of other deities? I thought your religion teaches that there's only one.
Robert, these are very challenging questions.
It's hard for me to answer your question as a nuetral observer. but this is food for thought, one of the Gods that claims to be in charge has to be in charge. i mean, people have sovereigns (kings, presidents, prime ministers, etc.) Animals have authorities (lion is king of the jungle, sharks have no predators, hawks/eagle are pretty fierce. Why would the spiritual realm not be the same? if all of these Gods make the claim, only one is the real deal.
if you want God to show you He is who he says He is, take Him at face value.
God makes promises throughout the bible. hold Him to His word. see if He falters.
I realized that I did not answer your second question.
I believe other things exist that people view as gods. I also believe that people sometimes unknowingly create gods. This can be called idolatry.
God said that He is God Almighty, we are not to have any gods before Him.
I'm not subject to those other gods. I am a subject in God's kingdom. Other beings that may declare themselves king have no authority over me. The same is true for everyone. Other gods have only the power that we give them.
Christianity teaches that there is onlt one TRUE God. So I could infer from that that there are UNtrue gods. I think God recognizes that other gods try to usurp his power. But these "gods" are not God. In other words, other gods my have people subject to them, but they are not Almighty. They are not sovereign.
I think our language makes this idea fuzzy because we use the same word for God Almighty and any other god vying for power and attention. But God with a capital G is written that way to distinguish Him from any other gods. He is distinguished because He is the only true God.
Jay,
You wrote, but this is food for thought, one of the Gods that claims to be in charge has to be in charge.
Well, that's the rub. How do I know which god is really in charge, and which god is simply lying about being in charge? Every method given by the devotee of any particular god "proves" their god is the supreme one.
Do you have a different method?
You wrote, God makes promises throughout the bible. hold Him to His word. see if He falters.
Sure. Here's your god in Matthew 24:34, "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."
The generation passed away. All the things didn't happen. Therefore, your god's promise failed.
Well, let's look at the entire chapter of Matthew 24. I don't think Jesus promised that everyone alive on the very day he uttered those words would still be alive when His prophecy was fulfilled.
Your argument hinges on what happened to the generation. If the generation ended, youre right. if the generation didnt end, youre not right. Here is the definition of generation, based on the greek word genea, which is the word that is believed to be used in the original text.
generation
fathered, birth, nativity
that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
metaph. a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
esp. in a bad sense, a perverse nation
the whole multitude of men living at the same time
an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 - 33 years.
So your interpretation of generation is today's conventional interpretation but not necesarily the connotation of the text.
If we were to interpret Matthew 24:34 to mean this group of men of the same stock; or this group of men very like each other in endowments, [and] pursuits, it sounds like Jesus is saying "this nation will not be wiped out before these things happen." As opposed to, "you people won't die before I come back."
With that said, Jesus, right after Matthew 24:34, says that He did not know when those things would take place. So He can't know that He'd be returning before those people died AND not know the time and place of his return. Those ideas are conflicting. Either one or the other is true ot Jesus is lying. If you think He is lying, I'd like to see your support for that idea.
What He is saying, ultimately, is that the world, as they knew/we know it, will end upon His return. I don't think that He was trying to convince the people that they would not die before He returned or that they would stay alive until He returned.
Secondly, when I said hold Him to His word, I meant, take one of His promises that He has made to YOU in the Bible and hold Him to it.
Psalm 37:4-5, Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
This is a conditional promise. If you delight yourself in Him, then He will give you the desires of your heart. If you commit your ways to Him, then He will do it.
If you do what He says, then He will do what He says He will do. Take Him up on His promise. See if He breaks it.
As for who is the King of Kings, I don't know if all other gods claim to be the King of Kings. If you have evidence of that, I'd like to see it.
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