PATIENCE EQUALS SALVATION

2 Peter 3:15 “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…”

Here’s an interesting question. What behavior comes first, patience or impatience? Do we start out full of patience and understanding, only to, over time, become restless and hasty. Or, are we innately anxious? Do we have to learn and develop patience as we grow? It’s a tougher question than you think. You can refer to infants, crying the moment they are hungry, or wet, or tired. Is it impatience or just that fact that crying is the only means they have for communication? Every child is different, so who knows? Parents are also a very good measuring stick. Have you ever said or heard someone say to their child, “I’m losing my patience with you!”? Losing your patience is kind of like losing your temper. Losing your patience is really just the revelation of your impatience just like losing your temper is, in actuality, really just discovering that it’s been there all the time. No matter what comes first, it would seem that impatience manifests itself much more freely than patience even though it is patience that always produces a lasting beneficial result.

The greatest example of patience is God himself. The bible is jam packed with accounts of His patience with mankind. He was patient with Abraham and Lot as it pertained to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He was patient with the Israelites in the wilderness time and time again. He was patient with King David through many of his impulses and failures. There is no question that his patience for all of us is driven by his indescribable love for you and me. Think about it. Are we not much more patient with our family than we are strangers?

As I look over my life, I am ever more grateful for the patience and mercy of God. Much like the children of Israel or King David, I have failed and deserved immediate reprimand. Yet God, in his tender mercy, has been patient. Often times simply nudging me by the spirit in the proper direction. Peter writes that God’s patience means salvation. Salvation is not what we deserve. Based on our own sinfulness, we deserve judgment. But God is patient because God is love. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13 that “love is patient”. Although, God’s anger towards me would be justified so many times, his love is an overriding power. He looks upon us with mercy.

This reality ought to lead us into a greater attitude of thankfulness to him. In light of his patience towards us, let us not take for granted such love. Live life as though it is a gift. Don’t try his patience, but love and honor him with your choices in life. It is his patience that offers salvation to us all. Know that God has spared us what we truly deserve. He has delivered us from the evilness of our own deeds. Let that truth motivate your commitment to him. Let it empower you into a life of victory and destiny.

REASON FOR OPTIMISM

Ezra 7:28 “I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me.”

When I was a child, I collected GI Joe action figures. I had hours of fun playing with those toys. Sometimes, I would come up with this grandiose plan of setting up the figures with all of their guns, backpacks, army gear, etc. I would plan to place them all over our family room with the design of simulating an all out wartime situation. (I know it sounds silly, but I was like nine years old). If memory serves me well, I don’t recall ever completing my entire plan. I remember, often times, getting about half way through setting everything up and then realizing that I had already spent an hour. I would become discontented with the fact that my “well-laid” plan was way too involved and I would become bored. Then, I would disassemble in ten minutes what I had spent an hour creating. So, although I had a big plan in my head, I didn’t have the determination to finish the job.

Have you ever had aspirations of accomplishing something? Yet, upon review of all that the task would require, lost a measure of hope that it was possible? I am certain that all of us have dreams and desires within our heart. There are surely things that we all wish to do or perhaps wish to become. It’s true. I have grown up a little since then. I don’t play with GI Joe’s anymore. But I can liken that type of scenario to some real life things for me. There are so many things that I want to do and so many things that I want to become. Many of the dreams I have are big dreams. And that’s okay. I serve a big God who gives us these big dreams and then gives us the gifts to make these dreams come true. However, I have, way too often, fallen into the pattern of setting out to fulfill a dream and falling short. I begin to assemble the pieces. I make arrangements. Sometimes, I even begin to do or to be what I aspire to do or be. But then, if I am not careful, something changes. Maybe, I look (through my own eyes) at all that is still to do. Maybe, life’s strains and pressures take a little of the luster out of my wishes. Soon, I am in danger of disassembling these plans and moving on to something else.

In Ezra, King Cyrus had been moved by the Spirit to release the Israelites from captivity. They returned home. The Lord stirred the hearts of the leaders to rebuild them temple. But that was just the beginning. Rebuilding the temple was not going to be easy. They faced much opposition from enemies. These enemies tried everything from threatening the workers to bribing them. This process was a long one. It encompassed the reign of more than one Persian king. I wonder if anyone thought, “If I would have known that it would be this difficult, I would have never started this project”. I wonder how many threw their hands up and said, “This will never happen” or “It’s going to take too long”.

However, in the midst of all that stands Ezra. Ever believing that the rebuilding of the temple was according to God’s purpose. He represents God’s people and makes such a telling stating. “I felt encouraged because the hand of God was on me.” God’s presence reduced every obstacle to nothing. The choice that confronted Ezra is the same choice that confronts you and me. Will we choose to recognize the hand of God as it pertains to our hopes and dreams? Will we come to grips with the fact that those dreams are only there because he placed them within us? Or, will we continue to become daunted by the “complexity” of the situation? Will we look at all that needs to be done or will we look at all that He is doing? No matter what your dream may be; whether it’s being something or building something, be encouraged and know that God’s hand is upon you. And with God, all things are possible.

LEGACY

Exodus 10:2 “You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing…”

I spent some time recently with someone who I would consider on the “fast track”. They were successful in so many areas of life. They had accumulated plenty of wealth. They held a high ranking position within their organization. They had made it, so to speak. If I fail to keep a proper perspective, spending significant time with that type of individual can really mess with my thinking. I start wondering if I will ever “make it”. I can struggle with some feelings of inadequacy. Thankfully though, we were just spending some time together. No power plays going on; just two men sharing a casual lunch. And soon, the playing field evened. We began discussing dreams and aspirations. We talked about the things we wanted to accomplish in our lifetime. We even talked about how we would want to be remembered some day. As he talked about leaving wealth for his children and teaching them to always be the best in everything, I began some serious introspection. You see, he wanted a bigger home, higher status, more temporal success for him to pass on. Then, he used a word that rang louder than any other, “legacy”. He said, “I want my legacy to be…” (Surely you can figure it out by now).

Legacy is simply defined as anything handed down from the past. I have always thought as my personal legacy being whatever was left behind from me when I was gone. No, don’t get me wrong, I want to leave an attitude of success and achievement. I want to leave my children with the belief that they can accomplish anything; that they can have whatever they set their mind to and are willing to work for. But, it really sunk in during that lunch. I am building my legacy even now. You see, legacy is not something that you simply begin to accumulate after retirement or in the twilight years. Legacy is compiled every day.

In Exodus, Moses tells the Israelites that this journey would build a legacy for their children and grandchildren. They would see the most amazing work of God. But for it to be a part of their legacy, they would have to share it. As I read this passage, it reminded me of what I really want to leave as a legacy. I want to leave a powerful love for the most high God. I want to leave a powerful passion for lost souls. I want to leave a hunger for God’s word. I want to leave a legacy in my children and grandchildren of world-changing ministers. If that is so, I cannot wait until my children are grown. I cannot wait until after life is a little less hectic. I must accumulate the currency of my legacy now, and then I must share it with passion and purpose.

The measuring stick is found in a simple question. Ask yourself, “If I was forced to leave my legacy today, what would it be?” Would it be a legacy full of excuses, missed opportunities, empty promises, and materialistic ambitions? Or will it be a legacy that exudes the faithfulness and goodness of God? Will it be the type of heritage that praises the marvelous things that He has done? Choose a legacy that will live forever and share the greatness of God through your life today.

GREAT AND MARVELOUS

Revelation 15:3 “Great and marvelous are your actions…just and true are your ways”

It’s Christmas Day. It would seem more logical, perhaps, to discuss a story from Luke chapter 2. But as I sat and watched my three kids, full of nearly uncontrollable excitement and smiling from ear to ear, play with all their new toys I am truly thinking of how great God is. I want to celebrate his goodness. I want to genuinely live in the realization of just how much he loves us. Things that, maybe, I take for granted so often mean so much more to me as I consider them in light of God’s blessings in my life.

The passage is a song, once sung by Moses as the Israelites celebrated their deliverance from Egypt. The redeemed are gathered after gaining victory over the forces of evil. The Lord had revealed his marvelous deeds and is about to execute the glorious climax to his purposes on earth. True worship begins to pour out for the King of the Nations. “Great and marvelous are your actions, Lord God Almighty!” As I close my eyes, I imagine being a part of that celebration. Suddenly “things” don’t mean as much. I can imagine being so caught up in the glory and majesty of God that everything else fades in importance.

I can’t imagine feeling, thinking, or saying, “Wait, this is taking too long. I’ve got people coming over for Christmas dinner and I need to prepare.” Why? Because the comprehension of God’s glory overwhelms all else. During this season, we all have had so much to do. Family comes in from out of town, maybe we were still shopping at 11:30PM on Christmas Eve. Wrapping presents in the early hours of the morning. Long to-do lists still left unfinished. Then distraction sets in. I have found myself worrying so much about pleasing everyone. Making sure the kids got everything on their list. Contacting every close friend and family member that I wouldn’t see. Being available to my wife as she was away from her family on Christmas. Then, this morning came. I looked at my beautiful family, sitting in my beautiful home, enjoying a tremendous breakfast, and it hit me. All because of Him. His actions are great. They are marvelous. He doesn’t have to do any of it. Still, he does. Because just and true are his ways. It can’t be about the things that bring me comfort and fun. It must be about the one who brings it all to pass.

Christmas is a great time to reset our thinking. To remember that God is just as worthy of glory and honor today (and every other day of the year) as he will be on that great day depicted in Revelation. Let today; be full of fun, warm feelings of love and joy between you and the ones you love. But also let today be about the greatness of God. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the majesty of God. But today let us choose, from our own heart, to bring glory to Him.

COMPROMISE AND A QUICK FIX

Genesis 25:32 “…What good is my birthright to me now?”

Have you ever wanted one thing, but due to some constraint (time, money, location) chose something less ideal? At some point, we probably all have “settled” in some area of life. Maybe you wanted the five bedroom house, but could only afford the four bedroom house. Perhaps you wanted the seven day cruise but could only get four days off work. Maybe you wanted a white Christmas but you live in Arizona. Life is full of choices and compromise.

Esau, however, made an irrational compromise that cost him dearly. Coming back from a long hunting trip, he discovers his conniving brother, Jacob, preparing stew. Jacob, no doubt, was plotting this moment. Esau returned starving and smelling fresh stew. As he asked for food, Jacob makes a strange offer. Trade me your birthright, in exchange for a meal. It matters little whether or not Esau could actually relinquish his birthright. The real issue is Esau’s flippant attitude towards the birthright. He willingly surrenders it in exchange for one meal. “What good is my birthright to me now?” he asks. His trade off would be like if I was craving filet mignon, but chose a double cheeseburger because McDonalds was right across the street. The cheeseburger might fill my immediate hunger. But rest assured, when the hunger wore off, I would still want the steak. We see later in Genesis how Esau felt about this series of events after the meal digested. (Read Genesis Chapter 32)

Looking back, I now see moments when my nonchalant approach to God’s promises and my God-given destiny has cost me dearly as well. There were moments when I didn’t want to wait on God. There were times when I thought I could find a cheaper way to God’s promises. Like Esau, I looked at life as infinite, thinking that the moment for reaping was eons away. What I now realize is that for every quick fix and spiritual compromise, I am giving up ground in my pursuit of God’s purpose.

It is important for each of us to be vigilant concerning the choices we make. We must ask ourselves, “Are the choices I make today about more than today?” “Am I choosing a quick fix or instant gratification without thought of tomorrow?” There are two facets of Esau’s decision that we ought to compare to our own decisions. First, Esau’s appetite was strong. His heart walked after his eyes. In other words, he chose whatever was instantly appealing to him. James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed”. We must, if we are to avoid Esau’s fate, be sure to walk after that which is of the spirit. Second, Esau’s reasoning was weak. His immediate circumstance prompted flawed thinking. He sold out in a panic. We should be mindful that in difficult times, it is most important to be still and thoughtful.

No doubt, we will deal with moments of want and moments of immediate need. Neither, however, changes God’s purpose for you and me. Let us make the choice to avoid the quick fix and the fruitless compromise. Don’t sell out for a cheeseburger, when God has a banquet waiting.

DISCIPLINE OR PUNISHMENT?

Job 5:17 “But consider the joy of those corrected by God. Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty”

I read a book a while back where the author was attempting to illustrate godly correction. He quoted Hebrews 12:6-10 (“he whom the Lord loves He chastens/disciplines”) and then made the following statement: “God does not hesitate to hurt us if this is necessary to help us become mature sons and daughters of His.” He then told a personal story of when his two year old son had foot surgery. Each night, the father had to stretch the foot as a type of physical therapy. Of course, it was tremendously painful to the son, but in the end the father said it was “worth it.” The surgery was a success. At that point, I stopped reading and thought to myself, “hurt us to help us?” Is that really what Godly discipline is designed to be?

Most people assume that God’s correction is painful. And sometimes maybe that’s the case…but is that the way God prefers? Godly discipline and punishment are not synonymous. And God never said that they needed to be. Hebrews 12 talks of love correcting or disciplining us, but that verse also should be taken within the entire context of the New Testament. For example, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (NLT) gives us another clue to the puzzle...

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets…And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us…we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”

The question is not does God discipline, but how. God’s discipline is radically different than the father/son illustration above. And 1 Corinthians backs it up. If God does use natural circumstances to correct us, they are at best a second option. God’s first and foremost choice to adjust any Christian’s perspective is the Spirit of God speaking to our spirit. That’s “how we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” That’s always God’s first choice and he doesn’t need to create painful circumstances to get our attention.

Let me use another father/child illustration in contrast to the first one. My oldest daughter is eight. She’s conscientious and really tries to do what we ask of her. What would you think of me as a father if though I had the distinct option either to “hurt her in order to make her mature” or teach her personally how to be mature…but I still chose to hurt her? What if rather than conversationally teaching her about meekness, I back-handed her hoping to achieve the same affect. Make your stomach turn, huh? Mine too. The issue is in the choice. Direct communication is God’s desired method of disciplining us.

Often, it is our failure to hear God that leads us down a path that God would have had us otherwise avoid. God cares enough to correct. As believers, we will need chastening from time to time. This should not stunt our growth, but it should propel us into greater things. Let us ask ourselves, “Is it possible that I am here, because I failed to listen to the Spirit speaking beforehand?” Make the commitment to hear the correction of the spirit and rejoice that God loves us enough to correct.

TRUE TO HIS WORD

Leviticus 10:3 “I will show myself holy among those who are near me; I will be glorified before all the people.”

There should be little question that God’s word is absolute. If He says it, it is true. Period. End of paragraph. These types of statements are sometimes difficult to make and even more difficult to hear. It seems true that many prefer to avoid the concept of God as a God who will judge those who fail to act and live in accordance with his commands. In today’s society, many are looking for a more “palatable” type of faith. Something that keeps us feeling comfortable and never challenged. The power of God’s love for us can never be diminished. Neither can the truth of his words.

As a father, I am often challenged to be consistent in raising my children. As a parent, I am responsible to set parameters for my kids. My love for them must drive me to establish guidelines that will help nurture and instruct them. It is my responsibility to lead them into things that are right and guide them away from things that are wrong. I have great kids. They are, however, no different from any other kids. Well, for that matter, they’re not much different from adults. They push boundaries. They, sometimes, try and see just how far they can go. If I say, “Don’t touch”, they may test me to see if I really meant it. If I say, “Go to bed”, they may get up a couple of hundred times. I must set expectations and give potential consequences for disobedience. At that point, the ball is back in my court. Will I be true to my words? Will I give my children the impression that my words have no meaning and that they can make their choices apart from my instruction? I must be true to my words. Not in spite of my love for them, but because of my love for them.

In the Old Testament, we find an account where Aaron’s sons, the young priests, failed to adhere to the strict guidelines set forth in God’s law. God acted as He said He would. In this manner, God showed himself to be true. He says, “I am holy” and “I will show myself to be holy”. He says that by keeping my word, “I will be glorified before all the people.”

I know that this is an Old Testament account, when the law ruled. However, God did not stop being holy under the new covenant. The New Testament is plentiful with instructions from God. These instructions are accompanied with great promise. For example, James 4 tells us that if we draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to us. The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” God is not mocked…He is holy.

These absolutes ought not bring condemnation to the believer, but instead hope. God’s word is for our guidance…to strengthen us. It, according to the psalmist, is a lamp and light for our life. If we ignore the things God has spoken to us, we place ourselves in danger of missing blessings and reaping trouble. But, if we are faithful and true, he promises to bless us beyond measure. Because, He is holy. He will be glorified among us.

Let us live with the comfort of knowing that our God is faithful and just. And that the words He gives us are life-giving and full of promise.