The Dimensions Of God's Love: Persistence
For the Love of God... Mercy, Please!
We are looking at the basic dimensions of God's love being; Benevolence, Grace, Mercy, Persistence. Last week we looked at grace. This week, mercy. A final dimension of the love of God is persistence. The Hebrew and Greek word for persistence refers to a slowness to anger. We could all us a little persistence when defined in this manner.
We read of God's persistence in Psalm 86:15. David is praying and says:
Psalms 86:14-15 NLT O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them. But You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
We find other verses showing the patient persistent love of God.
Romans 2:4 NLT Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
1 Peter 3:20-21 NLT those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
In all of these verses, God is pictured as withholding judgment and continuing to offer salvation and grace over long periods of time.
God's long-suffering was particularly apparent with Israel, as an outflow of his faithfulness to them. The people of Israel repeatedly rebelled against Him, desiring to return to Egypt, rejecting Moses' leadership. These chosen ones of God were constantly setting up idols for worship and falling into immoral practices of the people about them. Sounds familiar right? Not much has changed. If we look about us we find the same, just different idols.
There must have been times when the Lord was inclined to abandon his people, yet the Lord did not cut them off.
God's patience was not limited to his dealings with Israel thank goodness. Peter (1 Peter 3:20) even suggests that the flood was delayed as long as it was in order to provide opportunity of salvation to those who ultimately were destroyed. In speaking of the future day of great destruction, Peter also suggests that the second coming is delayed because of God's forbearance.
2 Peter 3:9 NLT The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish but wants everyone to repent.
The actions and teachings of Christ indicate the persistent, relentless nature of the love that is to be characteristic of a follower of the Lord. Jesus himself demonstrated such persistent love with Peter. When warned by Jesus that he would deny his Lord, Peter vigorously protested. Even if everyone else denied Jesus, Peter would never do so. Famous last words!
Jesus warned him that he would deny him not once, but three times, a prophecy that soon happened. Peter wept bitterly after denying that he even knew Jesus. But Jesus forgave Peter this time, just as he had with so many other shortcomings.
As a matter of fact, the angel at the tomb instructed the three women to go tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus was going to Galilee, where they would see him (Mark 16:7).
God's faithfulness and forbearance were also manifested in his not casting off the other believers who had sinned and failed him: Moses, David, Solomon, and Pastor Mike! Place your name here _____________.
As with the other attributes of God, so love is also to characterize the believer. Jesus made this clear. He said that by keeping his commandment his disciples would abide in his love. And that commandment is:
"Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12).
God is love and love is patient. Allow me to close with 1st Corinthians 13… You already know these verses don’t ya?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love yall in Christ!
Pastor Mike
(602) 510-5563
