Let the one who is doing wrong continue to do wrong;the one who is vile,continue to be vile,the one who is good,continue to do good;and the one who is holy,continue in holiness. -Revelation 22:11.
When God's patience exhaust
If God,who went after fallen man from the beginning with the question;"Where are you?" and who sent His only Son into the world to "seek and to save that which was lost",suddenly allows sinners to continue on their pathway,a fearful premonition must come over us.Today's text comes indeed from the last page of the Bible.It is the cold wind of coming judgment blowing in our direction.
God had once spoken similar words to His earthly people;"Leave her alone because she is married to idolatry." -Hosea 4:17.His patience was exhausted;now judgment had to follow.
Nothing more terrible can happen to anyone than God allowing him simply to continue on the course he has choosen.It is true that He remains God who is "being patient for yoursake.He does not want anyone to perish,so he is giving more time for everyone to repent." -2 Peter 3:9.But whoever hardens his heart against the gospel and neglects the "acceptable time" -(2 Corinthians 6.2) cannot count on God's loving effort.He is then left to himself;woe unto him! The Lord Jesus said,"For people can't come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me," -John 6:44.This warning should startle all who have not come to Him with their sins and received forgiveness through faith in His atoning blood.
But what an encouragement this is for all who belong to the Lord to keep themselves separate from evil and so maintain the distinction between the categories mentioned above.