Many people give God a reputation for always being angry and wanting to judge quickly when someone makes a mistake. God does indeed judge righteously, but can I tell you He’s not looking for ways to be angry with you or to condemn you when you make a mistake? The Bible tells us that God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness (Psalm 103:8). We also see in 2 Peter 3:9 that Peter states that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
God could come at any moment and rapture the church, but it’s not that He’s being slow about His promise.
In fact, He is waiting because of His patience and love towards humanity, and He wants more and more people to come to know Jesus! Although God sees all of the wickedness in this world and wants to come back to judge the enemy and his cohorts, He is waiting so that more people can become born-again. After all, Jesus tells us that the harvest (of souls) is great, but the laborers (people who preach the Gospel) are few (Matthew 9:37-38).
This shows that God is not as quick to judge as people think. As the church, we have made the mistake of being judgemental towards others all too quickly, and since we are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), of course, those who don’t know Jesus will think He is the same way, but in fact, He’s not. When we allow the love of Jesus to be shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5), we witness the same love He gives us. When we are quick to forgive, we are showing others the forgiveness of Jesus. We are the hands and feet of Jesus! Praise God!
Each day, I encourage you to ask the Lord for wisdom in every interaction you have and for the Lord to use you as His vessel. Thank God He gives us the will and the power to do what pleases Him! (Philippians 2:13) Let’s be good witnesses for our Good God and show others that the poor reputation they have portrayed about the Lord is false. Instead, show them the love and forgiveness of God! Amen!
