Longsuffering

As a normal human, I avoid even the slightest amount of pain whenever possible, but there are times you just have to bear it.

Considering Jesus in my discomfort this afternoon, it hit me that He is the most longsuffering person is the history of ever. Duh, I know. But get this- He never had to put up with suffering for His own mistakes. Ever. Not even once. He suffered for mine. For yours. For us. That's amazing.

A quick word search and I found that He really is the only one who has this longsuffering thing down, anyway:

Exodus 34:6
"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"

Psalm 86:15
"But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."

Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..."

2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:15a
"And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation..."

I am so grateful my Lord is willing to suffer long!

 

A Shadow of God's Holiness

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:27‬

God designed mankind to be an image, like a "shadow" or "picture" - a visual representation of who He is on earth. 

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:4-5‬

Satan tempted Eve with the rebellious idea that we could be the ones to decide what that "picture" should look like- we should decide who god is, by being a god to ourselves.

But God, in His mercy, saves those who follow Him to true freedom.

“For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭11:45‬

He created and saves us to be like Him- holy as He is holy! A shadow of His magnificent holiness.