1.Because it magnifies the longsuffering of God toward you.
-He gave his consent to the lynching of an innocent man – Acts 8:1.-He breathed hatred toward the disciples of the Lord – Acts 9:1.-He persecuted the “Way” to death – Acts 22:4.-He bound both men and women, sentencing them to prison – Acts 22:2.-He persecuted the church beyond measure, trying to destroy it – Gal. 1:13.-He was a blasphemer, persecutor and insolent (violent) man – 1 Tim. 1:13.-“(Longsuffering) is patience with regard to antagonistic persons….Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger and is associated with mercy…”
2.Because it magnifies the sovereign grace of God toward you.
3. Because it exposes the worthlessness of self-righteousness.
-Gal. 1:14“And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”- God is not satisfied with the righteousness of sinful man.“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” – Gal. 2:21“For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast.” – Eph. 2:8, 9“For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Cor. 5:21
