Read Revelation 2:21-23.
God is patient. He gives people time to come to their senses and return to a life with Him. The Prodigal Son comes to mind. Does His patience have limits? Is God infinitely patient? Sounds good, doesn’t it? But is it true? Will God wait patiently for us forever?
Let me suggest that while God’s patience is infinite in its potential (1 Tim. 1:16), it is limited in its outworking. God’s patience is limited by our finiteness. We do not have an infinite amount of time to turn back to God. One day our time will run out and God’s patience will be useless to us. Let me also suggest God’s patience is guided by His love. Because God loves us, He will not strive with us forever while we infect others with our sin. Consequently, God often takes initiatives to bring us back before we run out of time and before we hurt more people. Such was the case with this Jezebel. God gave this person plenty of time to repent, but she refused. The discipline she would receive would be severe, and those she had infected would be purged as well. The bleeding had to stop. And while they were given plenty of opportunities to turn, it is clear they did not want to turn. Their time was running out.
God is patient, and the danger of taking His patience for granted can cause one to think that continued sin in a specific area is not really that bad. Because we don’t experience the consequences of sin, we can think God doesn’t really see it (practically speaking). But here Jesus says that He, indeed, “searches the minds and hearts” (v. 23). Hence, it is important that one not allow that kind of attitude to take root lest one day, when God’s patience has reached our limits, He may take severe disciplinary action. While this paints a picture of a harsh God, in reality, it is because of God’s love that this action is sometimes necessary.
But what of those who are experiencing hardship now? Is God disciplining them for some unrepentant sin? Maybe, maybe not. One must examine his or her life. Have I become apathetic toward a sin? Have I put off repentance for another day (and another and another)? On the other hand, if one is striving to walk with God, and there is a desire to make changes, one can see these times of hardship as God’s way of sharpening and growing one’s faith.
God is patient. He is the most patient person in all of heaven and earth. How is His patience seen in your life? Are there any areas that you need to turn over and turn back to God?