98. God's forbearance.

Not only was God patient with mankind, while he waited for this salvation to be revealed, but meanwhile, he put up with their sins, in his great forbearance (tolerance, clemency). 'God presented him as a sacrifice of as atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.'( Romans 3:25) Paul, tried to appeal to philosophers and thinkers in the university city of Athens, by citing God's tolerance. 'In the past God overlooked our ignorance but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed.'( Acts 17:30-31) We live in a world that has become increasingly intolerant of others who think differently. However, God is tolerant but his people aren't, for they too have become increasingly intolerant of others who are not like them, be it believers or unbelievers! They want everyone to be saved immediately though they themselves took plenty of time to be brought to repentance ! 'Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realising that God's kindness leads to repentance?' (Romans 2:4) Just as it was the kindness of God that led us to repentance, it would be our kindness to others, that would be instrumental in leading them to Christ. 'The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in hope that God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.'( 2 Timothy 2:24-26) May God grant us the will for patient endurance! 'Be patient, bearing with one another in love.' (Ephesians 4:2) Amen.