Patience Has Its Limits

[SeniorSeeker]

Patience Has Its Limits

No greater demonstration of patience can be found than that shown by God toward humans. But we must understand that even God's longsuffering has a limit. The longsuffering of God lasted for 120 years in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. But the time came when the stubbornness of the people exhausted the longsuffering of God, and He destroyed the earth with a flood.

Genesis 6:3 (New International Version) "Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

It might be argued that, inasmuch as God ran out of patience, this gives us permission to do the same. But when we study the history of God's longsuffer- ing, it becomes evident that His patience was not for a day, a week, or even a year. Often generations would pass before His longsuffering would be exhausted, which, of course, is not an option open to us.

Is there a point where our patience can legitimately run out when dealing with folk in a difficult situation? It depends on what that means. We might decide that we've had enough of a certain situation and conclude that it has to end. But that's not the same thing as being judgmental, unloving, or cruel in the process. It might be time to take action, but that action must never be out of harmony with the principles of kindness, love, and caring.

Dwell on situations in which your patience ran out legitimately and illegitimately. What was the difference between the two? What have you learned from these experiences? If you had to do them over again, what would you do differently?

 

[Pete in MI]

Good message. There are a few times my patience came near to running out....to near to the point someone could have been shot....really. Glad that never came to pass. Thanks for this message...I will think on it even more.

Even God has shortened the time for Jesus' return for the sake of the elect....He will tolerate only so much for His children to suffer in the world as the end times come as well.

 

[Anonymous]

KJV......Epistle of James.....Chapter 1----Verse 2....My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3...Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience, 4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him. 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

We mustn't waiver in our faith like a wae of the sea driven with the wind and tossed! We cannot walk on both sides of life's fence....either we serve God or we serve satan. We are tempted of satan but not of God! But every man is tempted , when he is drawn away of his on lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death! Read all of Chapter One of James! We must keep ourselves unspotted from the world and we can do this with Jesus, as our own personal Savior and obeying Him, for He is the Living Word of God!

My thinking is if a person has heard about Jesus time after time and continues to hurt a Chistian enough to cause them to want to lose their patience, I say, Do not be around that person and let someone else witness to them, unless God's Holy Spirit specifically tells you to do so!

This way no one will be tempted beyond their patience and will be able to witness to those who want to listen and learn of the Sciptures and seek to know Jesus, as their own personal Savior! To go before God leaves the Christian witness without protection from the sinners hatred and bad words! When the time is right....all will go well and your patience will not suffer!


I have learned not to go around those who lie and try to do me harm and just pray for them until the Lord leads me to them when it is okay to witness to them about Him! Because to do otherwise causes tension, hurts and unpleasantness to both!

It is difficult to keep patience with someone who is constantly putting you down and abusing you, so pray and pray and then let the Lord tell you when to approach them and in what to say!

The devil tries our patience in every way he can with lies and snares.....so we must keep praying and doing God's will and then He will provide and protect us from the enemy! It is easier for me now since I don't work nor get out in the world much anymore....but I am still faced with trials for building my faith and faith works patience to remain strong in our faith in Jesus! Amen! May God Bless! Betty