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God is extremely patient—longsuffering is the word describing how He waits for people to turn to Him and find salvation. He does not wish that any should perish (2Pe.3:9). But sometimes another part of God's character takes priority and then He is forced to conclude that enough is enough. God's decision about giving the whole of mankind to destruction through the flood in Noah's days is an example (Ge.6:5,6). Another example is when He gave up on most of the people of Israel and decided that they would not enter the Promised Land because of their unbelief and disobedience (Nu.14:22,23). We must not imagine that because we are in the 'age of grace' He will not do that to us. We too are warned against letting in a heart of unbelief that can eventually lead us away from God (He.3:12,13).

Let's think of two possibilities of God giving us up now. The first warning is about those who know God in their heart but choose to dishonour Him—perhaps by neglecting to keep His ways or going after other things as priority in their lives—and then God giving them up (Ro.1:21,24). Another possibility is if we go on doing wrong—even though we know what we are doing is wrong—when He will give us up (He.10:26). It is not that He chooses to give us up from His side, which He has promised never to do (He.13:5). But it would be we who will be forcing Him to take such steps because of the deliberate choices we make.

At the same time we need to look at another side of God too. "A battered reed He will not break off, And a smoldering wick He will not put out, Until He leads justice to victory" (Mt.12:20). These are the people who are trying their best to overcome sin and live lives that are pleasing to God, but are failing because of their weaknesses, limitations or bondages. God knows their heart and shows great mercy and patience towards them—until He leads them to victory.

What makes the difference? The first is a deliberate choice people make even though they know they are doing wrong, and the second is a matter of human inability or limitations of their life circumstances. In the first case the heart is wicked and deceitful, while in the second case the heart is right even though the flesh is weak (Mt.26:41). This is what we have to watch above all (Pr.4:23). It is very dangerous if we think we are 'under grace' and take it for granted once too much.

When we look at other people, let us learn to look at their heart more than what they are doing on the outside. If we look only at their external behaviour it may be that we totally misunderstand how God looks at them (1Sa.16:7). How can we understand what is going on inside their heart? By looking at the type of fruit that comes out (Mt.7:16). A good heart will bring out good fruit. If we notice such good fruit coming out from their lives, even though at this time some bad fruit are also seen, wait and see if the good fruit become more prominent and the bad fruit less.

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