Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”

The Father is patient, and does not chasten without warnings and reproofs. But when those warnings and reproofs are repeatedly rejected, He does finally move. In those times, His action is swift, and decisive. Better to hear these rebukes and learn, to confess and repent. To take whatever measures we need to. For when He is forced to act like this, we seldom emerge without permanent damage. Proverbs 28:14

‌Now the stiffening of the neck in the face of reproof most ordinarily manifests itself in 3 things.

‌1 – The Word. The Word warns, warns, and warns again. And it never warns without also giving counsel on the better course, and God’s indwelling Spirit grants both power to pursue that course, and repeated inward promptings to walk in the path of righteousness. This is why some fail to make searching the Word a part of their necessary and daily spiritual life.

‌2 – Preaching. This also is often why we fail to be sure we sit under the solid and consistent exposition of God’s Word; Why Church is treated as optional. We would rather have our ears tickled than be consistently confronted with truth which would challenge us and call us to repent of sin.

‌3 – True Fellowship. And it is often why we withdraw from relationships where we might need to manifest the character of Christ in the face of difficult people and circumstances. We don’t want to put up with them and risk being hurt. And we don’t want to be exposed regarding faults and failures – let alone un-Biblical attitudes, decisions and practices.

‌How far is too far when testing the patience of God? No one knows. That is the point. Some take God’s patience as a sign He is simply pleased with them as is. Others think it simply impossible to provoke Him. The wise man knows “the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience…is meant to lead you to repentance” (Rom. 2:4).

‌So what has God been dealing with you about, that you continue to put off? Don’t wait until it is too late.

‌Heavenly Father, grant me a repentant heart. Grant US repentant hearts. Nothing is so wicked as confessing our sin and seeking forgiveness, but not turning from it. It is how every form of idolatry works – just go through the ritual, but no real change is expected or needed. Father, I want my heart to hate the sin that is in me as you do – and love your holiness as you do. I want to want other things – to have sinful things appear as wicked, heinous and as repulsive as they really are; and to see and be attracted to the beauty of holiness as you really are. I plead with you Father – do not leave me as I am. I am so easily fooled and deceived by my own sin. Let me truly walk in the love, light and wisdom that is ours in Christ. Grant me your gift of true repentance from my sins.