The Patience Of The Lord.

THE PATIENCE OF THE LORD.

2 Peter 3:8-15a.

2 PETER 3:8. Peter wishes to emphasize to his “beloved” friends that the longer the Lord’s delay, the more time there is for repentance. To the LORD a thousand years are but as a day when it is past (cf. Psalm 90:4). Yet He stretches out the day of opportunity for just as long as it is going to take to gather in His people.

2 PETER 3:9. This is the Lord’s patience. He is not willing that any should perish, but His coming is delayed to give the greater number of people the greater opportunity to repent (cf. 2 PETER 3:15a). We also have a part to play in this (cf. Matthew 24:14).

2 PETER 3:10. Yet when He comes it is “as a thief” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:2). This indicates something sudden and unexpected (cf. Revelation 3:3). And it has a cataclysmic result (cf. 2 PETER 3:12b).

How should we conduct ourselves in consequence of these truths?

2 PETER 3:11. We should be marked out by holy conversation and godliness.

2 PETER 3:12a. We should be looking forward to, and hastening toward His coming.

2 PETER 3:13. We should be living in the expectation of the promised new heavens and new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

2 PETER 3:14. We should be walking in peace, spotless and blameless.

2 PETER 3:15a. The longer the Lord’s delay, the more time there is for people to embrace the salvation on offer. But this is no excuse for us delaying to do so while we still have life!