“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
THERE IS A TIME FOR JUDGMENT. But that time will be when man stands before God, who alone is worthy to judge. Our time is to labor to be found faithful, at our judgment time.
THERE IS A TIME FOR VENGEANCE. That time belongs to God, for He will repay. Our time is to seek freedom from resentment toward those who misuse us, so as to “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
THERE IS A TIME FOR REPROOF. But that time must not be with anger and hostility, but rather with all longsuffering and consideration. In many cases, people’s positions are what they are, because that is all they have to be from their own perspective or needs. Usually when one’s perspective falls short of another’s expectation, it is because they never really thought about the situation any further than they had to. Thus, rather than take offense towards things that others have never really thought about, we need to inform each other so as to round out our perspectives to include one another. A person may have no need to think of things from your point of view, and maybe have reasons not to, unless they are intreated with reason to do so. The best way to assure that people will be open to see and accept what we have to say, is to avoid affronting them without indignation, but rather gain their respectful attention through a fervent appeal. “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded.” Proverbs 25:15
The more we come to know of each other, the more things we see that need improving. Rather than reap negative results through putting one another down, strive for the blessed results of cultivating one another in knowledge and wisdom. It is surprising how resourceful people can become when they respect each other to the degree of wanting to lift up one another. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Romans 12:10
THIS IS THE TIME FOR MUCH NEEDED GRACE. May we take to God’s position for our example: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 According to God’s Word, some men count longsuffering to be slackness. Some feel that unless you threaten or intimidate sinners, that you are not standing for the truth.
But by longsuffering after we have tried, let’s try again. Let’s look beyond the fault and concentrate on the need. How long did you go on in life before you finally repented and accepted Christ? We all owe our salvation to God’s longsuffering and grace.
SHARING
