majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him in Romans 2:4,
"Do you show contempt for the riches of his [God's] kindness,
tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you
toward repentance?"
As Jesus spoke with his disciples about his coming crucifixion, he
told them "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all
men to myself." John 12:32. The wonderful grace and love of our Lord
Jesus Christ is expressed in his desire to draw all people to himself.
He wants us all. Paul speaks of this when he tells us why we should
live godly lives, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants
all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1
Timothy 2:3-4.
The Lord's patience is an amazing thing. It is that very patience of
his that allows sinners an opportunity to consider the claims of the
gospel, and hopefully turn to Jesus Christ, "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." 2 Peter 3:9.
Our Lord truly is kind, tolerant and patient! I would be remiss,
however, were I not to recognize that there is an end to his patience.
At the end of his patience, his judgment is to be found. Woe to the
man who finds his way to the end of the patience of our Lord! "He is
dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and
dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp
sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with
an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of
God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:13-16.
For those who find themselves the object of God's judgment, the
following describes, with certainty, their future, "Then I saw a great
white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his
presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great
and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another
book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged
according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave
up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that
were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had
done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake
of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in
the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
How wonderful our Lord's patience that makes possible our escape from
such judgment!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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