“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is 1PATIENT WITH YOU, NOT WANTING ANYONE TO PERISH, but EVERYONE to come to REPENTANCE.” (2 Pet. 3:9) 1makrothumeō: not to lose heart, to be mild and slow in avenging. This Greek word comes from makros, which in regard to time means long, and thumos, which is defined as “passion, angry heat, anger.” Why would be God angry? Because, “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23)
“…do you think this, O man, that you will ESCAPE THE JUDGMENT OF GOD? Or do you DESPISE the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS YOU TO REPENTANCE?” (Rom. 2:3-4) God loved us so very much that He, “…gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him SHOULD NOT PERISH but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) What was our response to God’s love? Pilate, who wished to release Jesus, asked the crowd what they wanted. “…they shouted, saying, “CRUCIFY HIM, crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20-21)
So, how are we as Christian’s doing today? Americans aren’t quite ready to take a seat in a sanctuary. The survey from the American Enterprise Institute showed that 64 percent of Americans said they were “somewhat uncomfortable” or “very uncomfortable” attending in-person worship. Paul pleads with us, “I 2URGE YOU, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a LIVING SACRIFICE, holy and pleasing to God—this is your TRUE AND PROPER WORSHIP. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be 3transformed by the RENEWING of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:1-2) 2parakaleō: to beg, to plead. 3metamorphoō: to be changed into another form. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM (metamorphoō), for we shall see Him AS HE IS.” (1 John 3:2)
-Bill Stockham