day no. 16,892: Christian faith can afford to be patient

"The Christian faith lives in the light of eternity, and can afford to be patient." — Christopher Dawson

Postmilliennial hope plays the long game. It can afford to be patient because it is wealthy with God's promises.

Ephesians 1:3, 7-8

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

We have an embarrassment of riches in Jesus. We abound with "amen's" and are surrounded by the "so be it's" of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20 

For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

What has God promised?

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; And in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: For my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

The sun does not rise all at once, but once it is rising, it doesn't stop.

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

God promised He would never again flood the world with water, but He also promised that He would someday flood the world with the knowledge of His glory.

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The government of God grows inexorably. It cannot be stopped. It will fill the world. The passion of Providence will perform this.

John 17:3

This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

The Christian faith lives in the here and now by the light of the happily ever after. Eternity holds the flashlight for us without any relational tension.

Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto leaven. It cannot remain hidden. It consumes its container. Eternal life bursts out from the grave like a grain of wheat grows out of the soil. The leaven will never get lumpy, but the lump will get leavened.

World without end. And Amen.