GOD'S UNLIMITED PATIENCE
Among the qualities of God, His unlimited patience stand out as one of the most vital Characteristics He possess. From the beginning till now this quality has been observed from each generation to another.He has allowed His people to be in Scenarios where they have to wait,He allows these dynamics so that He trains us patience.
Exodus 34:6-7 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, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
He is slow to anger and abounding in love, this is just but His patience towards mankind.
Paul the servant of Christ testified of God's patience showered towards him, the persecutor of the body of Christ.He said,
1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV)
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
The level of patience that was shown unto him was not just simple patience, or just a good patience but perfect patience (NIV Bible), immense patience (ESV Bible).
Why was God so much patient with him, in the same passage Paul describes the very reasons for God's patience on him.
Reasons for God's patience
1.JUSTIFICATION
1 Timothy 1:15
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
He begins by saying, Jesus came to save sinners of whom he was the worst.
Justification is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is reckoned to the sinner, so the sinner is declared by God as being righteous.It is based completely and solely upon Jesus' death and resurrection and is received by faith alone.
We did not choose Him, He chose us John 15:16,He chose to have a relationship with us that we may be saved.
The patience of God all began in Genesis where the serpent deceived the woman and man sinned. From that day on, God decided to have a plan for redemption of His people, He made a move that until today the enemy has never had a response to.
The death and the resurrection of Jesus was always the plan,this is the reason for God's patience for us.It doesn't matter your sins, all He wants is to save you.
Are you still sinning and wondering why God is not judging you yet? He wants to save you
2.SANCTIFICATION
1 Timothy 1:13
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.
Another reason for God's patience towards us is to change us or sanctify us.
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ,The image of Christ is holiness and purity.
Paul the Apostle states here above, that he was once a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man but was shown mercy. These are the things he did before coming to have an encounter with Christ, but now he obtained Mercy from God and changed.
Sanctification comes from God within us by the work of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Bible. The greatest gift you will ever receive in your life as a believer is the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit.The good news is that He lives inside us to change us and to guide us.
The primary role of Spirit of God in a believer is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. If you were a sinner (Galatians 5:19), He begins the work of changing you to produce the fruit He gives to you (Galatians 5:22).
All you need to do is to embrace the Holy Spirit in your life and His perfect work shall be manifest in your life.
Have you received Christ and the nature of the flesh is still at work within you? Receive the Holy Spirit today.
3.FORTIFICATION
1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
Everything we need God has already provided and equipped us.The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
According to the dictionary,to fortify means, "To strengthen and secure by forts or batteries, or by surrounding with a wall or ditch or other military works; to render defensible against an attack by hostile forces".
Paul was weak,but received the strength from the Lord to do all the good works and service unto God.
1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16 (ESV)
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
The level of patience that was shown unto him was not just simple patience, or just a good patience but perfect patience (NIV Bible), immense patience (ESV Bible).
Why was God so much patient with him, in the same passage Paul describes the very reasons for God's patience on him.
Reasons for God's patience
1.JUSTIFICATION
1 Timothy 1:15
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
He begins by saying, Jesus came to save sinners of whom he was the worst.
Justification is the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is reckoned to the sinner, so the sinner is declared by God as being righteous.It is based completely and solely upon Jesus' death and resurrection and is received by faith alone.
We did not choose Him, He chose us John 15:16,He chose to have a relationship with us that we may be saved.
The patience of God all began in Genesis where the serpent deceived the woman and man sinned. From that day on, God decided to have a plan for redemption of His people, He made a move that until today the enemy has never had a response to.
The death and the resurrection of Jesus was always the plan,this is the reason for God's patience for us.It doesn't matter your sins, all He wants is to save you.
Are you still sinning and wondering why God is not judging you yet? He wants to save you
2.SANCTIFICATION
1 Timothy 1:13
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.
Another reason for God's patience towards us is to change us or sanctify us.
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God's work and being conformed to the image of Christ,The image of Christ is holiness and purity.
Paul the Apostle states here above, that he was once a blasphemer, persecutor and a violent man but was shown mercy. These are the things he did before coming to have an encounter with Christ, but now he obtained Mercy from God and changed.
Sanctification comes from God within us by the work of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Bible. The greatest gift you will ever receive in your life as a believer is the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit.The good news is that He lives inside us to change us and to guide us.
The primary role of Spirit of God in a believer is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. If you were a sinner (Galatians 5:19), He begins the work of changing you to produce the fruit He gives to you (Galatians 5:22).
All you need to do is to embrace the Holy Spirit in your life and His perfect work shall be manifest in your life.
Have you received Christ and the nature of the flesh is still at work within you? Receive the Holy Spirit today.
3.FORTIFICATION
1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
Everything we need God has already provided and equipped us.The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
According to the dictionary,to fortify means, "To strengthen and secure by forts or batteries, or by surrounding with a wall or ditch or other military works; to render defensible against an attack by hostile forces".
Paul was weak,but received the strength from the Lord to do all the good works and service unto God.
In every situation you face just remember Jesus is and will always be the first and the last.Alpha & Omega.
We serve a God who has come down to meet us,He sees us all through.It doesn't matter where you are,He never tires or go under repair like the idols.He is alive,powerful and available to strengthen us in every situation both for our lives and for His service.
Are you weak and need strength? Ask from God and He will strengthen you.
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