Word@Work 2Pet27 - 2 Peter 3:1-18
Published: Tue, 09/15/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MERCIFUL PATIENCE
2 Peter 3:8-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)
God is infinitely bigger than the watch or diary. He does not have the little human horizon which cannot see clearly beyond the present, because He sees all the future and the whole of eternity in a single glance. But although God is outside of time, He knows every tiny detail of what will happen from now until eternity, and that includes the return of Christ. The fact that Jesus has not yet returned as judge does not mean that He will never come, it just means that there is a little more time for the world to prepare for His arrival.
God has set that date with such skill and care that that there is enough time for everybody to have the opportunity to repent and trust in His saving grace. As our Maker, He certainly does not relish our damnation but rather that we should be saved. His patience is not indifference: it is the gracious restraining of His wrath against our sin. The Greek word for 'patience' simply means 'long-angry' ... he hates our sin but has chosen to give sufficient time for those who will repent, to do so.
Peter does not want us to forget that although God is long-suffering, He is also a consuming fire. His apparent delay does not indicate that He has changed His mind about judgement, but rather that he has a deeply loving and compassionate heart which longs to save all who will turn to Him in repentance and faith. At the same time He will not forget to justly deal with all who rebel against His grace ... so we should not forget either.
Prayer: Gracious God. I am amazed at your kindness in giving everybody an opportunity to respond to your grace. Thank you for Your patience with me, when I did not deserve it, in drawing me towards your love and granting me faith to trust you. Please help my family and friends, companions and colleagues to recognise your kindness and patience in the time you allow before their opportunity is lost for ever. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
God is infinitely bigger than the watch or diary. He does not have the little human horizon which cannot see clearly beyond the present, because He sees all the future and the whole of eternity in a single glance. But although God is outside of time, He knows every tiny detail of what will happen from now until eternity, and that includes the return of Christ. The fact that Jesus has not yet returned as judge does not mean that He will never come, it just means that there is a little more time for the world to prepare for His arrival.
God has set that date with such skill and care that that there is enough time for everybody to have the opportunity to repent and trust in His saving grace. As our Maker, He certainly does not relish our damnation but rather that we should be saved. His patience is not indifference: it is the gracious restraining of His wrath against our sin. The Greek word for 'patience' simply means 'long-angry' ... he hates our sin but has chosen to give sufficient time for those who will repent, to do so.
Peter does not want us to forget that although God is long-suffering, He is also a consuming fire. His apparent delay does not indicate that He has changed His mind about judgement, but rather that he has a deeply loving and compassionate heart which longs to save all who will turn to Him in repentance and faith. At the same time He will not forget to justly deal with all who rebel against His grace ... so we should not forget either.
Prayer: Gracious God. I am amazed at your kindness in giving everybody an opportunity to respond to your grace. Thank you for Your patience with me, when I did not deserve it, in drawing me towards your love and granting me faith to trust you. Please help my family and friends, companions and colleagues to recognise your kindness and patience in the time you allow before their opportunity is lost for ever. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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