“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is patient. God is currently waiting for people to repent. This time, this season, this period is a gift from God. God waits for people to repent – and what that means is that people are sinners, for only sinners need to repent. That means, that in the meantime, people continue to reject God, continue to live as if there is no God, continue to live as if there is no such thing as sin.

One of the biggest tragedies of our generation is that we have confused God’s patience with God’s tolerance and acceptance. It’s not just the people who do not know God who are living this way. Denominations are just as confused as people who do not know God.

Just because God is patient does not mean God is approving sin. God gives us this season so all sinners would repent and turn to God.

God’s patience is not God’s tolerance.
God’s patience is not God’s acceptance.

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Repent and be saved, for this is God’s desire – that not one should perish.

“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land” (Isaiah 1:19).

The greater our obedience, the greater our freedom.

The more we live the life that we were created to live, the more we live out our God-given purpose, the freer we become. The Christian’s freedom is found in God’s will.

If you truly want to be free, discover God’s purpose for you.

Ask yourselves:

• What am I good at?
• What do I enjoy?
• What am I passionate about?
• What moves me?
• What do I see in my world that I want to see changed?
• Where do I want to see God moving?

As you discern these questions, you will discover how God has created you and how God has equipped you. God wants to use those things to impact the world around you for his good.

The greater your obedience to God’s will and purpose, the greater your freedom shall be.

Happy Fourth of July!

Freedom does not mean being free from all restraints. Freedom is found when we’re bound to our purpose.

There is a Thomas the Tank Engine picture with Thomas on his side, having fallen off the train tracks.

He is shouting, “I am free! I am free at last! I’ve fallen off the rails and I’m free!”

The psalmist declared, “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” (Psalm 119:45).

Freedom is found when we bind ourselves to God’s truth found in God’s word. As absurd it is for Thomas the Tank Engine to think he is free when he has derailed, it is just as absurd for us to think we are free when we have abandoned God’s truth.

We are only free when we find ourselves in God’s truth.