On the “Patience” of God

In the United States we habitually hear the Word of God as addressed to us individually, but in fact, from beginning to end, the Bible is a living word addressed to communities.

We can delude ourselves about our progress in the faith so long as we concern ourselves only with ourselves. As soon as others enter the picture, for example, my family, or my congregation, then another side of us explodes with all manner of ill-feeling, resentment, and most especially impatience. “Why won’t those people see things my way?!”

What we miss is how much God is putting up with—because of us! Because of me! Because of how irritated I quickly become over the disagreements and failures of others. Thus I become an expert on noticing the speck in my fellow Christian’s eye, while ignoring the log sticking out of my own.

“But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:16

Pray for the awareness of Christ’s endless patience with the world, your church, and you.