Nothing Short of Perfection
Paul tells Timothy of how he was such a bad person, doing all these evil things against the Lord. Then he tells Timothy how he found Christ and how abundant his grace and mercy was on Paul's life. Paul goes on to say he is the worst of all sinners, and yet he found mercy in Christ. Now what I find really interesting is Paul says "....Christ might demonstrate His perfect PATIENCE...." The perfect patience. I find that so interesting because it's a little different then what I'm used to reading about. I usually would see His perfect love, or grace, or mercy, or hope even, but patience. Of all things to say why did {aul mention His patience?
Let's look at the resume Paul had put out for Jesus. A former blasphemer, persecutor, violent aggresor, teacher of the law, killer of christians. Now I would imagine if someone were persecuting my family I would have very little patience for that man, especially one who speaks against me. But Jesus waited, He waited for Paul. He waited to bring Paul to his senses realizing the error and stupidity of his ways. And then one day BAM! Jesus reveals Himself to Paul tells him to stop and turns him blind. Paul's life forever changed. Now here is where I feel patience really kicks in. Jesus did NOT kill this man, but spared his life putting Paul in service for His will. To watch a man killing off your family and then not kill him takes a HUGE amount of patience. A perfect patience. If it were me I would've been furious, to the point where I wouldn't know what to do with myself and with the power of the universe COURSING through my vains all the worst I would be, which is probably why I don't have the power of the universe coursing through my vains like Jesus, because He is what I'm not. what a remarkable characteristic to take away. Perfect patience. I see things in my minsitry where people are being stupid and I'm like "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Don't we all? But I believe the Lord is teaching me to be patient, to not the raging fire in my heart leave my mouth like furnace to cook someone to their bones, but to have patience and to show them Christ's glory and plan so that they may be blinded by the error of their ways and awkened to that which He has called us to do.
Created 11 months ago
