I saw a meme on social media that said “He’s a I don’t care how far you’ve run, just come home, kind of God.”

As exciting this news is, and it is true, for the most part, God is also a just God and He does have a limit to our disobedience and will not be mocked.

Recently I attended a workshop with George Barna. He gave us statistic after statistic that most self professing Christians are in name only. Matter of fact he is quoted as saying  “’Christian’ has become somewhat of a generic term rather than a name that reflects a deep commitment to passionately pursuing and being like Jesus Christ.”

During the workshop that I attended he stated that only 7% of the population are actually what he would call “Integrated Disciples”, those who actually are working towards a deeper relationship with, while following the teachings of, Jesus.

Here is my challenge when standing on a promise that has an amazing outcome for us, the person. Remember that there is also another side to the story.  There are plenty of examples in the Bible where God quit calling and gave them over to their sinful desires or destroyed them completely.

Sodom and Gomorrah ~ Genesis 19
The story of following Korah in Numbers ~16, God opened up the earth, they fell in and then he closed it back up.
The Flood ~ Genesis 6
Balaam and the Donkey ~ Numbers 22

I know those examples are from the Old Testament, but Paul talks about it in Romans 1, just 24 years after Christ ascended into heaven.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts ( Romans 1:24)

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, (Romans 1:28)

Do we really want to see how far we can run? Matthew, Mark and even the book of Acts talk about that we don’t know the day or hour….

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32)

Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. (Acts 1:7)

So instead of seeing just how long God’s patience really is, remember this verse.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Not sure about you, but I would much rather be bowing because of the relationship I had with Him and doing the work He called me to with the time I have left.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

What is God prompting you to do today?
Is it time to quit running before it’s too late?

If you don’t know what any of this means or you don’t have a personal relationship with Christ, reach out today to your local church. Reach out to your friend who has a personal relationship. Or reach out to a local pastor or minister. Just reach out before it’s too late.