PBP: GINFWMY

June, 2003

by: Walt Bertelsen

Look familiar? That collection of letters was a popular bumper sticker some years ago. It meant, “Please Be Patient: God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.”

At its worst, the initials were sometimes used as an excuse. However, at its best, it is a plea for recognition of the fact that we are sinful human beings, saved by grace, and dependant upon the faithful God who is continuing the work that he has begun in us (Philippians 1.6).

Most of us have difficulty being patient with someone who never seems to change. Many women, for example, are frustrated with husbands who won't lead their families. “Why does my husband keep doing that? He's a Christian. He knows better!” That's true. We all know better. So why do men not lead? There are a lot of reasons: fear, laziness, lack of confidence, overzealous wives who won't follow, etc. However, the bottom line reason is that we each want what we want. Isaiah 53 states this with perfect clarity: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way...” (v.6) Isaiah also gives the remedy: “...and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know that,” you say. “I'm a sinner; Christ paid the penalty for my sin. I just have to trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus. So why is it taking me [my wife, my husband] so long to get better?”

The Scriptures consistently present to us two things that we must have if there is to be true, lasting change: truth and practice, there must be a true view of a) ourselves and b) of God. And this truth must be put into practice through repentance.

None of us seem to get the truth right away. It comes little by little. Many of us have stumbled around for years trying to live right, trying to change, but we always end up in a legalistic despair of self–condemnation. A true view of ourselves leads us to absolute hopelessness in our own ability to “get better.” A true view of God leads us to absolute hope, reliance, submission, repentance, power to obey. Having a true(r) view of God is what really leads to having a true(r) view of ourselves. As we see his holiness, justice, goodness, wisdom, grace, mercy, and truth, we see who we are and our need to submit to him. So be patient: real change takes time. God didn't send Christ to die in the Garden of Eden. He who knows our frame patiently called out a people for his name (through Abraham), and he patiently taught them to fear him, for the fear of the LORD is the foundation (beginning) for wisdom (Proverbs 1.7; 9.10).

So take heart. God is not finished yet. Remember, it is God who is working in you to will and to do of his good purpose. Let Him renew your mind (Romans 12.1,2). Pray for the men of Calvary: that they will truly know God for who He is and submit to Him. When that happens, there will be nothing that can stop what God is seeking to do through them.