Christian Living

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A Patient God

The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

The subject of Hell has been a controversy for many years between believers and non-believers. Only in the past several years has it become a noticeable divide within the Church itself. Books have been written and doctrines have been built based on the belief that there is no Hell and everyone will be saved.

Nobody needs to teach you or inform you of all of the ills of society today. We are all experts at recognizing and pointing out the faults and flaws in everything from how a cheeseburger is cooked, how to put together an outfit, how to mow a lawn, decorate a house, raise someone else’s children, down to, how sister so and so didn’t raise her hands in worship on Sunday.

While everyone seems to be gifted in this area, it doesn’t hold a light in comparison to the expertise offered on the flip side. Oftentimes the very people pointing out the wrongs in everything and everyone else, has become a Master Manipulator in their ability to be blind and excuse their own sin.

How many times have we heard the questions asked, “How could a loving God send someone to hell”? How could a loving God allow that to happen? What kind of God gives someone cancer? The lists of these types of questions can sometimes leave the seemingly most mature Christian dumbstruck for an answer.

Personally, I believe that in order to make a more “user friendly” God available, people, in the Church, have not only allowed, but embraced the aforementioned doctrinal twists.

Why? Because it’s easier to embrace a loving God, who is Almighty, in control and allows you to do anything you want, without any repercussions for your actions. It completely absolves humans from any responsibility.
But what is the truth? What does the Word actually say?

He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

Indeed our God is extraordinarily patient, and of course any loving parent would desire that their child not perish and recognize their errors. But how, do they twist this Scripture to the interpretation that everyone will be saved?

The greatest gift that God bestowed on His created was the gift to choose. Eve made the choice not to be obedient. Adam also was given the opportunity to choose. Kings have risen and fallen, kingdoms have been built and torn down, blessings and cursing’s have been poured out, based on people’s ability to choose.

I have heard people say that denial will get you nowhere. I beg to differ. Denial will definitely get you somewhere! Ninety-nine percent of the time your destination is going to be one of regret and you are the only one to blame. How can I say that? You have to choose to deny.

There is a lot of false teaching out there. But it is not only outside of the Church walls, it is inside. It is nothing new.

But also [in those days] there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies), even denying and disowning the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

Look at two key words here: subtly and stealthily. We know that our US military operates in stealth mode. Even recent headlines boast of the International rescues made by this skill.
If it were anything other than subtle or stealth, you would recognize it immediately and reject it with the utmost, holy boldness. What has happened to us?

Why is it that our holy boldness presents itself more in defense of the blurring of the lines between true godliness and becoming more like the world in order to reach them?

It may be the world we live in but we are not to be part of this world. We are to be set apart. Oil and water, no matter how hard you shake it, cannot mix. When everything settles, there will be a definitive line between the two.

Do not be led astray. God will not be mocked. He is more loving, patient, kind and long suffering than we can ever grasp or imagine. He is the Source of these attributes. But He has given us His Word, His Son and the gift to choose.

You will reside in the eternal destination of your choice. He has placed both before us. A loving parent would never choose that their child spend eternity in eternal damnation. The desire of Gods heart is that none should perish; He is extraordinarily patient in His waiting. But in the end, the choice is yours.

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