Moment of Meditation: Longsuffering (1 Timothy 1:16)

Original Broadcast: February 2011

Monthly Theme: Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 1-2)

However, for this reason I obtained mercy,
that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering,
as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
(1 Timothy 1:16)

Longsuffering

Longsuffering is exactly what it sounds like. It's suffering long, enduring the pains of whatever is going on in our lives. Many times that means putting up with people that irritate us. We get irritated so easily. Have you ever wondered how irritated God gets with you? Your constant sinning. Your constant "I promise I'll never do it again." Your constant doing it again.

How irritating are you? Irritating enough that Jesus came to suffer the death you deserve. Irritating enough that even after your Baptism Jesus still forgives your constant sinning. But your level of irritation is overpowered by Jesus' longsuffering.

Jesus became flesh and died to show that there is nothing we sinners can do that will remove us from His graces, as long as we repent. And He'll wait, but don't push the waiting. He has placed a time limit of your life or the end of the world. There will be no more waiting and longsuffering then. The judgment will come and you will receive your reward. Your reward is with Jesus. Will it be the mercy He obtained for you on the Cross? Only if you repent and ask for His forgiveness. Then you will have His everlasting life. Amen.