Amos 1:9-10

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:1-11)

God’s purpose in his kindness is not to excuse sin but to stimulate repentance.

Douglas J. Moo

As I put together the notes for this week’s message I began to think how patient God has been toward me. I wasn’t young when I found myself on my knees, a sinner, finally recognizing my need for a savior.

That day is etched forever in my mind. All the events that led up to that moment, all the terrible sins I did, all the pain that I caused, all the times that now looking back, I could see God intervening in my life through men and women, each of them tasked with warning me and calling me to repentance.

I am truly thankful for God’s patience.

But what about today, 18 years later? Am I still thankful for God’s patience?

Is there ever a day when I can open up the Scriptures and not quickly become overwhelmed with conviction by the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit.

For most of these years as a Christian, I walked around ignorantly believing that I was free from sin. I had been saved by the blood of Messiah. After-all, I am indeed born again. I believe whole-heartedly that Yeshua, who was God, came in the flesh to willing offer Himself as a perfect substitute, to take my place on the cross and my the debt for my sins which is death. I am saved indeed.

Then what point am I trying to make as we look at Amos 1:9-10 today?

“I am saved, I am being saved, and one day, I will finally be saved.”