The Patience of God: Through Christ's Intercession
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The patience of God is a profound theme woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture, revealing His enduring forbearance and mercy towards humanity. This divine patience is most vividly manifested through the intercessory work of Jesus Christ, who stands as the mediator between God and man. The patience of God, as expressed through Christ's intercession, underscores His desire for all to come to repentance and the lengths to which He goes to extend grace and mercy.

Divine Patience in the Old Testament

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of God's patience. Despite Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry, God continually extended His mercy, calling them back to Himself through prophets and leaders. In Exodus 34:6, God proclaims His nature to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." This declaration highlights God's patience as an integral aspect of His character.

Christ's Intercession as the Fulfillment of Divine Patience

The New Testament reveals the ultimate expression of God's patience through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ's intercession is a central theme in the Epistle to the Hebrews, where He is depicted as the great High Priest who continually intercedes for believers. Hebrews 7:25 states, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." This ongoing intercession is a testament to God's patience, as Christ advocates for humanity, providing a way for reconciliation and forgiveness.

The Role of Christ's Sacrifice

Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is the cornerstone of His intercessory work. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus satisfied the demands of justice, allowing God's patience to be extended to sinners. Romans 3:25-26 explains, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand." Here, God's forbearance is linked to the redemptive work of Christ, showcasing His patience in withholding judgment and offering salvation.

The Purpose of God's Patience

God's patience, as demonstrated through Christ's intercession, serves a redemptive purpose. It is not a passive tolerance of sin but an active extension of grace aimed at leading individuals to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 articulates this purpose: "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This verse underscores the salvific intent behind God's patience, emphasizing His desire for all to embrace the gift of salvation through Christ.

The Call to Reflect God's Patience

Believers are called to emulate God's patience in their own lives, reflecting the character of Christ. Colossians 3:12 encourages Christians to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." As recipients of divine patience, believers are to extend the same grace and forbearance to others, embodying the love and mercy of God in their interactions.

In summary, the patience of God, as manifested through Christ's intercession, is a profound demonstration of His enduring love and mercy. It reveals His desire for reconciliation and redemption, offering humanity the opportunity to experience His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 13:8
And he answering said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In the Name of Christ
... promise, and knows it has what it has asked"the patience that obtains ... down to us
from above bears upon it the stamp from God: through Christ's intercession. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xi in the name.htm

Christ's Intercessory Prayer.
... life we come to know God, and through that life ... to Himself and blessedness"this is
the God for us. ... showing itself to be Divine by its patience, its humility ...
/.../xvi christs intercessory prayer.htm

My God Will Hear Me
... Through prayer, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word ... of a faith that always
sings, "My God will hear me ... as it is, it needs practice and patience, it needs ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xii my god will.htm

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
... HYMN 105 Repentance flowing from the patience of God. ... HYMN 145 Sight through a glass,
and face to face. ... Gen. 1. HYMN 148 God reconciled in Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, "But the Boat was Now ...
... temptations, yet she sees her Glorified God walking above ... of those furious men, but
in patience endured them ... had overwhelmed Him," might now through the glory ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxv on the words.htm

Hymns and Spiritual Songs
... Hymn 2:105. Repentance flowing from the patience of God. Hymn 2:106. ... Hymn 2:145.
Sight through a glass, and face to face. ... Hymn 2:148. God reconciled in Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... and precious stones, but with divine love, wisdom, patience, obedience and ... sin in
the sight of God, inasmuch as God promises the Spirit through the blood ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

An Index to Find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of It.
... Christ, 3:6. Repentance from God's goodness and patience, 2:74 ... 68; profitable,
2:123; condescended to by God, 2:45 ... 2:15, 2:16; 3:15; accepted through Christ, 2: ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/an index to find any.htm

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
... then the strengthening with all might to all patience and joy. ... This shall turn to
my salvation through your prayer ... zeal and devotion and power"may God give us ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiii paul a pattern.htm

The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers
... hand, waiting in the calm and sublime patience of conscious ... practically, is it not
true that God reaches His ... that it should be saved through Christ, nor barely ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heavenly workers and the.htm

Resources
How long was Job's suffering? | GotQuestions.org

Why do so many people have to experience terrible suffering before death? | GotQuestions.org

Is Isaiah 53 'The Suffering Servant' a prophecy about Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Long-suffering

The Patience of God is Part of his Character

The Patience of God: An Encouragement to Repent

The Patience of God: Exercised Toward: His People

The Patience of God: Exercised Toward: The Wicked

The Patience of God: Exhibited in Forgiving Sins

The Patience of God: Illustrated

The Patience of God: Israel

The Patience of God: Jerusalem

The Patience of God: Limits Set To

The Patience of God: Manasseh

The Patience of God: Paul

The Patience of God: Plead in Prayer

The Patience of God: Salvation, the Object of

The Patience of God: should Lead to Repentance

The Patience of God: The Wicked: Abuse

The Patience of God: The Wicked: Despise

The Patience of God: The Wicked: Punished for Despising

The Patience of God: Through Christ's Intercession

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The Patience of God: The Wicked: Punished for Despising
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