In Exodus 34:6, God reveals His character to Moses and says, "…the LORD God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness". In Psalm 103 David writes the same thing, adding that God does not deal with us as we deserve, but that He removes our sins as a father has compassion on his children.
The Bible tells us that God is love (not that He has love, but that His very nature is love). Within that love must also be judgment based on how we respond to His love - but here's the deal: Only God has the right to judge, not us. His agape love is perfect. His judgments are perfect. Oftentimes, we feel (after we have responded to God's grace in our life) that we are now able to judge others who are "living in sin". And maybe like Jonah, we end up getting ticked off when God shows them grace and they don't get what they deserve! Ouch.
Praise God we don't get what we deserve. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
Maybe the reason Jesus hasn't returned yet, is because we haven't "returned" back to God and His grace...
No comments:
Post a Comment