Daily Devotional
God’s Patience and Truth
Joshua names the conquered kings one by one, as if to say that no power standing against God is forgotten, and none escapes His sentence. Romans says the same of every man: the judgment of God is according to truth. We readily count the sins of others, yet God counts more truly, and He weighs not nations only, but each heart. The kings of the land fell openly; the proud thoughts, secret uncleanness, hard judgments, and stubborn impenitence within us must also be brought down.
Yet the apostle does not speak only to terrify. He says that God’s goodness is meant to lead us to repentance. His patience is not consent to sin, nor a cloak for delay, but a space given for amendment of life. Cyprian warns with the apostle’s own words: “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the patience and goodness of God...” If we receive this patience rightly, we stop excusing ourselves and begin obeying.
Nor may anyone boast in having the law, hearing the Scriptures, or judging worse men. As Tertullian says, “...heathen do by nature those things which the law requires, Romans 2:14 he suggests both natural law and a law-revealing nature.” God is not mocked by appearances. He seeks the doing of the good, perseverance in it, and a circumcised heart. Therefore let us make war first against our own sins: bridle the tongue, repay no evil, give alms without display, keep the fast honestly, and confess quickly what conscience already knows. Then the patience of God will not have been spent on us in vain.
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the patience and goodness of God l”
— Cyprian, Treatises
“...heathen do by nature those things which the law requires, Romans 2:14 he suggests both natural law and a law-revealing nature.”
— Tertullian, De Corona
For Reflection & Discussion
What sin have you been condemning in another while permitting it in yourself, and what concrete act of repentance will you do today to put it away?
How will you use God’s patience this week for amendment of life: confession, fasting, restitution, or almsgiving?
What one hidden enemy within—pride, harsh speech, impurity, greed, or resentment—will you bring under judgment today by a specific act of obedience?
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