For the honor of His name (4)

Don't you love this topic? So far we've seen in this blog series that God brings honor to His own name by renewing our strength, guiding us along the right path, forgiving our sins, and rescuing us from danger.

Our response therefore should be thankfulness for His love and compassion, readiness to share our testimony, willingness to receive His forgiveness and to forgive others, and trusting Him to lead us to safety!

Let's take a look at Isaiah 48:9. When we read that scripture in context we notice that God is kind of mad at His people because they were disobedient, stubborn, unfaithful and what more. And then He says: Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name, I will hold back my anger and not wipe you out.

Well, isn't that interesting? God honors His own name by being patient and by extending grace to the Israelites. 👉He is true to His nature as a good, good Father. Of course, we see the same thing in the New Testament... for God does not change, He is patient and He does not want anyone to perish.

Isn't it fair to say that when we extend grace to someone, when we hold back anger, and when we are patient, we bring honor to His name as well?

Fruit of the Spirit (5)

When talking about the fruit that God wants to bring forth in our lives, I sometimes hear people say: 'Yeah, kindness and goodness, I can see that in my life. But patience? No, that is not my strongest virtue.'

No, not your strongest virtue, but certainly Gods! His fruit in our lives is not the same as our human or natural character, it is supernatural character of the Lord Jesus Himself. It doesn't matter how we try to perform or what we want to produce, it matters what the Holy Spirit wants to do in us, and that is beautiful: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Forbearance or longsuffering or patience... Supernatural patience; that is not the kind of patience we have when it suits us. That is not the kind of patience we have with the ones we love (our children, partner, parents or dog!). No, that is patience with ALL people.  And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Ouch! Be patient with everyone? You must be kidding, right?!

Well, He is not kidding. But we must bear in mind that we can never, ever do this in our own strength, it is work from Him in us. God is patient, absurdly patient if you ask me... 

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance...Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation (2 Peter 3:9 and 15).