30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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Luke 21 20-24 WATCH AND PRAY III 09 Luke 21 22-23 Patient continuance in doing good
📖 Luke 21:20-24
01Jun2021 - *Patient continuance in doing good* - _Luke 21:20-24_ - WATCH AND PRAY III (09) – Bible reading: _Romans 2:1-11_
The Lord is repeatedly warning humanity to repent, return and be restored to Him. The Lord does not want anyone to be cast into the lake of fire but He desires for everyone to spend eternity with Him. It is for man to make a choice to either come back to God or reject Him.
Humanity including the church must see everything from God’s perspective and walk in God’s ways.
_Luke 21:22-23 For *these are the days of vengeance*, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (23) But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! *For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people*._
This is the picture of the vengeance of God, which will fall on people when man does not repent and walk in the ways of God.
God is fair and there is no partiality with Him, whether we claim to be believers or otherwise. All of humanity need to walk in the fear of God.
_Romans 2:1-11 Therefore *you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are* who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (2) But we know that the *judgment of God is according to truth* against those who practice such things._
As the church, we can become judgmental about the world and behave as though we are holier than the people of the world. God’s judgement will be according to truth.
_(3) And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (4) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?_
Repentance is needed for everyone, whether the person considers himself to be a believer or otherwise. Yes, as a believer in Christ we have been saved by grace through faith but that does not mean that now, we do not need to repent and we can assume that we are accepted by God, even when we continue to live in disobedience to God.
_(5) But in accordance with your hardness and *your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God*,_
There is a popular teaching that is spreading all over the world that we believers do not need to repent anymore. This has made people become casual about their walk with God. This is extremely dangerous. God is not partial. If after we have received Christ, we continue to live in sin, we will be judged.
_(6) *who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS"*: (7) *eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality*;_
God wants us to continuously walk in His ways. *He expects patient continuance in doing good*. We know that this walk with God is not about going back to bondage but it is about the freedom that we have in being enabled to obey God by the Holy Spirit. There is a requirement of surrender and submission to the lordship of Christ on a day to day, moment to moment, basis.
_(8) but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, (9) *tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil*, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; (10) but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (11) *For there is no partiality with God*._
There is a requirement of a daily life of surrender to the will of God.
_Hebrews 10:26-31 For *if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries*. (28) Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (29) *Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?* (30) For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. And again, "*THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE*." (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God._
_I Peter 4:17-18 For the time has come for *judgment to begin at the house of God*; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (18) Now "IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER APPEAR?"_
These are cautions that we need to keep in mind, as His people. We must also keep in mind that God is of great love, compassion and patience.
*Thought to ponder*
```Knowing His forbearance let us love Him dearly.```