MANKIND S PATIENCE by PM

Patience is something that we should all strive for. It connects us with knowledge and wisdom. Often times we can learn a lot more when we patiently observe. There is a time for action, and there is a time for patience. Today we are going to compare God's patience with mankind's patience. As usual, man comes up far short when comparing any aspect of our character with God's; however, I think the exercise will be good for us. Let's begin our study in the Book of Matthew. MATTHEW 18:21 Then came Peter to Him, and said, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? v22 Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. There is a condition to verbally forgiving others, just as there is a condition to our being forgiven. We must repent to be forgiven, and others must repent to you before you are obligated to verbally forgive them. Otherwise, you are only obligated to forgive them in your heart. We aren't to be doormats for bullies. MATTHEW 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. v24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. The certain king is God. It is time to check the books. MATTHEW 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. There comes a day when we will all be called to account. In this case, the debtor wasn't able to pay what was owed. Without forgiveness and grace, neither are we. MATTHEW 18:26 The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." v27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and lossed him, and forgave him the debt. The debtor repented, and the Lord forgave him of the total debt. The Lord will forgive your debt as well. The Lord is patient with us, and we should be patient with others. A lesson the debtor in our example did not learn. MATTHEW 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying 'Pay me that thou owest.' An hundred pence is a lot less than the ten thousand talents this man originally owed. It seems we are quick to call on God's patience and forgiveness towards us, but slow to exercise patience and forgiveness with others.

MATTHEW 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' v30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. Mankind's patience often comes up lacking. God's patience never does. That is why we should hold Him so dear. MATTHEW 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. v32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me: This is how God feels towards us when we repent and He forgives us, but we won't forgive others. MATTHEW 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?' v34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. There is an important lesson in this for us. Remember, this is what it is like in the kingdom of heaven. (vs. 23). MATTHEW 18:35 So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." We must forgive to be forgiven. We must exercise patience to receive God's patience. Forgiving someone doesn't mean we are to forget. Trust is built in people over time. Let's continue our study in the Book of Romans. ROMANS 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest does the same things. There is only One Judge. We are to discern right from wrong and good from evil, but we are not to judge others. ROMANS 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. v3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? God is the only One qualified to judge. He knows the hearts and minds of all. There are no unsolved mysteries with our Father. No one escapes the judgment of God. ROMANS 2:4 or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Longsuffering means patience. Understanding God's goodness and patience leads us to repentance. Those who understand these things

want to do what is right. ROMANS 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; If we don't repent, we may expect God's wrath. If your record in the book is free of sin due to repentance, you have no reason to fear the day of God's wrath. ROMANS 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: I hope there is nothing in the book beside your name except righteous acts. Judgment day mans rewards for some. You will pay for sins you haven't repented of. ROMANS 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: The eternity is going to be a wonderful place. All of the seeds will have been planted, and those souls that are supposed to be in the Kingdom will be there. All of the evil and wicked souls will have been destroyed, never to be remembered again. for now, there is work to be done. Patiently serve your Father. Skip with me to 9:20. We are going to pick it up with the fact that God loved Jacob and hated Esau before they were born. God creates some people with a destiny. The elect are predestined. God will work with the elect to accomplish His will. This requires patience with God on the part of the elect. ROMANS 9:20 Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? 'Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it 'Why hast thou made me thus?' v21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Questioning God is a foolish thing to do. The choice is entirely His to make. He can make a flower vase or a chamber pot from the same lump of clay. ROMANS 9:22 What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: The Nephilim weren't created of clay, but they are fitted for destruction as written in Jude 1:6 ROMANS 9:23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, You must keep free will and election separate in your mind to understand this Scripture. ROMANS 9:24

Even us, whom He hath called, not the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? v25 As He saith also in Osee, 'I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 'Osee' is the Greek word for the Book of 'Hosea'. God will utilize His elect as He chooses. His plan will come to pass exactly as it is written. Be patient with God as He is with you. Be ready when He says it is time. Let's continue our study in the Book of Colossians. COLOSSIANS 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Don't be over anxious. Be patient. If you love God, you want things to be done His way. Serve Him! COLOSSIANS 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. This may come as a surprise to many of you, but there is not one of us that is perfect. Do the best you can to get along, and be generous with your patience and forgiveness to others. God is patient with you. COLOSSIANS 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 'Charity' would be better translated 'love'. Love is the strongest force in the universe. COLOSSIANS 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. God is not the author of confusion. If you are a member of the one body, that is to say Jesus Christ, you have every reason to be thankful. Through the price He paid on the cross, you are able upon repentance to obtain forgiveness. This should allow you to come into patience. Let's continue our study in the Book of II Peter. II PETER 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This is the sun of our Father's patience. It is His will that all come to repentance. He knows that not everyone will; however, He has the patience to give them every opportunity. He loves His children. II PETER 3:10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 'Elements' means 'evil rudiments'. God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). All evil will be destroyed at the end of the millennium which is the day of the Lord. To those who worship Him, this fire is like the warmth of the Holy Spirit as he touches your heart.

II PETER 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, We should be patient and desiring to serve God. All things will happen on God's terms and timetable. II PETER 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? All evil will be destroyed. That is why the eternity will be such a wonderful place. II PETER 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. We look forward to the new earth and heaven age free of all evil. Man's patience isn't much compared to God's patience, but we should strive to be more patient. In His service, Arnold Murray