Love & Longsuffering

 

 

Over two thousand years ago the Lord Jesus was crucified and died what should have been our deaths as Jesus bore the sins of the world to free mankind and reconcile us with the Father thus defeating the works of Satan.

 

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

1 John 2:2 (NKJV)

 

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

 

 

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted

 

In the book of Acts Chapter 9 we read about the story of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. Saul (Paul) was persecuting Christians.  Jesus said to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

 

As we continue to read Acts Chapter 9 we know that Saul was blinded and the Lord told him to continue on his journey to Damascus.  

 

We know that Ananias had a vision from the Lord Jesus that Saul was on his way to Damascus and that Ananias was to lay hands on Saul for restoration of his eye sight as well as be filled with The Holy Spirit.

 

So we know that over 2000 years ago Christ was crucified yet still today Christians are being persecuted and innocent blood is being shed similar to the days of Saul (Paul).  Abortion is at record numbers and innocent lives have been taken!  Have you ever wondered how many Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Teachers or Preachers may have been aborted pregnancies?   

 

Just as Saul was persecuting Christ over 2000 years ago so it is today.  We know that it is “the Spirit that convicts” and yet innocent people get persecuted and martyred.  Have you ever thought about Jesus still being persecuted thousands of years after He paid the price and died on our behalf?  

 

John 16:8 (NKJV)

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

 

 

The Lord Jesus is merciful, slow to anger and loving towards us desiring that none should perish. Jesus is still being persecuted today.  Yet Jesus is longsuffering, loving, righteous, just and holy. Jesus died for us freely as Jesus said that He freely gave His life for us.  

 

John 10:18 (NKJV)

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

 

 

 

Numbers 14:18 (NKJV)

‘The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’

 

Psalm 103:8 (NKJV)

    The LORD is merciful and gracious,

    Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

 

 

 

We all face persecution, yet imagine the Lord Jesus being persecuted even today after paying the price for all of us and being crucified/dying on our behalf even though He was without spot or blemish.  Imagine what it must be like for the Lord to witness humans killing humans and the great persecution that is taking place yet loving us unto repentance desiring that no one should perish.  There is no greater love that the love of Christ Jesus and the Father.  

 

We know that the Lord will return for His bride, He will rule and reign for 1000 years ending the shedding of innocent blood and rid the world of evil.  No one knows the day or hour but we must recognize the seasons and the signs we are given.  

 

Are you ready for the Lord Jesus to return and has the bride prepared herself for the Bridegroom?  

 

Matthew 5:10–12 (NKJV)

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

 

 

Imagine how loving the Lord Jesus is that He would long-suffer on our behalf desiring that no on perish and that all would have everlasting life.  That is love that is longsuffering!  Thank you Jesus for loving us first!

 

1 John 4:8 (NKJV)

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

1 John 4:19 (NKJV)

19 We love Him because He first loved us.