Why Doth He Tarry?

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways…”—Ezekiel 33:11

God is so holy and so just that He must remain eternally separate from anyone who falls short of His perfection. In fact, as the Creator who gave us live and who spells out His rules through nature, conscience, and Scripture, only to have His creatures break His rules, God certainly has every right to destroy us now, today, without delay. His holiness and justice demand it! But He tarries. Why?

God must punish sin, and He will, but He’s delaying that imminent punishment so that all men may have opportunity to repent and come to faith in His Son. It’s a part of the “common grace” that He bestows on all people. All of us are lost and deserve nothing but hell, but God loves us all and wants to give all of us the opportunity to be saved. The next time you question His right to judge the world, remember His patience, His sacrifice, and His beyond-the-call-of-duty efforts to get the message of Jesus out to all the world through the Bible and His people. He tarries for you and me!