Day 141: It’s Patience Not Blessing

Luke 13:1-5 :

Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

It makes sense that we, as corrupt sinful beings, would try to determine who is the worse sinner. If blindness is lifted from our eyes, just for a moment, we realize that this is one of the most ridiculous things a hell-bound person could do. Who cares who is worse than who? We are all going to end up losing our lives so what difference does it make?

I think that what people often do is to think that just because someone else got in trouble that their sin isn’t that bad, or even that God is blessing them because of how good they are. The fact is, God blesses us because of how good He is. When we fail to recognize this, it is a sign that we have yet to take the first step and believe in the salvation of Jesus Christ. If we fail to see our need for salvation, why would we receive a savior? The Bible tells us that Jesus is taking so long to return, not to bless us for all of the great things we have done, but because He isn’t willing to destroy mankind yet without allowing enough people time to repent.

II Peter 3:9-10 :

The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

The simple fact is, God could have destroyed mankind a long time ago. Every day is “borrowed time.” God has offered us His forgiveness through the death of Jesus Christ and those of us who believe have taken the opportunity. It isn’t that anyone is that much better than anyone else. The only real hope that any of us have is to to accept forgiveness and avoid our destruction.