The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind 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 makes possible our escape from such judgment!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"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 makes possible our escape from such judgment!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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