Title: Long-suffering Life/Romans 2:1-5
Contents
Long-suffering life/Romans 2:1-5
It is the result of impatientness that a person cannot win in the world. It's a matter of urgency. Do you really want to win? Take care of yourself and practice patience. And hope for a real victory.
The Bible encourages us to live long-suffering. And before exhorting us to be patient, God and Jesus set an example of patience.
1. God's Long-suffering
In verse 4, God emphasizes “the abundance of mercy, forbearance, and patience.” This tells us that God's long-suffering is in order to forgive us. Romans 9:22 says, "...with long-suffering patience with vessels of wrath prepared to be destroyed." Romans 15:5 also emphasizes that God is “a God of patience and comfort.”
God's long-suffering has given us hope, leading to the privilege of being children of God. How unfortunate would have been if God had not been as patient as we are? But fortunately, because of God's long-suffering, isn't it possible that we are here today? I need to think of my impatience at this time today, repent of my impatientness toward my neighbor, and obtain mercy from God. There are many incidents where many have been destroyed despite God's long-suffering. It can be really unfortunate. In 1 Peter 3:20, many people in Noah's day introduced that "those who were disobedient when God waited patiently" could not enter the ark. However, the eight men of Noah obeyed God's long-suffering waiting and entered the ark and were brought to life. Dear all! Today, we must enter the ark of God, who is patiently waiting for us.
2. Jesus' Long-suffering
Hebrews 12:2,3 says, “Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Why should we look to Jesus? Because Jesus is the one who makes us whole. What is our true integrity? It is standing at the right hand of the throne of God. So Jesus taught us how to stand at the right hand of God. How is that? First, he said, "...because of the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross." Standing at the right hand of the throne of God is not easy. The crown of victory is not easily obtained. It comes with a lot of hardship and pain. So Jesus endured the pain of the cross. It implies that we also have the cross to gain glory before God. In serving the Lord and upholding the church, we have to be patient even if there are hardships and difficulties.
Jesus endured the cross, endured the shame, and eventually triumphed and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. And he told us to think of him who endured in verse 3. When it is hard, difficult, and painful, we must look to our Lord who has endured the way and think deeply. The apostle Paul also wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:16 that the reason he received mercy from the Lord was, “… Jesus Christ first showed me all patience, so that I might set an example for those who later believe in him and have eternal life. to do it,” he says. In other words, Paul says that he learned the patience of Jesus and set an example of patience with people of all faiths. Please keep in mind that Paul became Paul because he was patient.
3. Long-suffering and Salvation
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient with you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. Therefore, we believers should look forward to (wait for) the coming of God's day and earnestly long for it with holy deeds and reverence. You have to wait until the time for the Lord to fulfill it. Don't be discouraged as to why my problems aren't resolved quickly. We need to pay attention to what the Lord is patiently waiting for. That is why 2 Peter 3:15 exhorts us to "consider the long-suffering of our Lord as salvation...".
Conclusion =
We always think that it is a blessing to be accomplished soon. A precious tree sprouts slowly and grows slowly. But grass that will disappear after a while will grow quickly. Today, I need to discover the will of God to be patient with me. And long-suffering training is required. We are becoming like our father. He also resembles his father. So Jesus also became like God and endured for a long time. Also, the apostle Paul was like the Lord and endured for a long time. In the same way, we should be patient like Paul. There is blessing and true victory.
Next, we will consider what kind of things that God, who has shown patience with us, encourages us to be patient with.