And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. 2 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
The Apostle Peter seems to just toss this brief, but powerful thought into his letter to the Church.
God gives the gift of time for people to be saved!
The context of these verses is Peter expanding on the “Day of the Lord.” An ominous reckoning of all time and space where people have been allowed to do as they please, making their eternal choices all through their life. This culmination, this final accounting, is coming, but not yet! What holds back God’s judgment, wrath and justice, even in these days, thousands of years later? God’s own long suffering, His patience so that none would suffer eternal destruction.
Earlier in the letter Peter writes, “”The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent,”(2 Peter 3:9). Patient for our sake? How awful for folks to throw their fist in God’s face and arrogantly defy his grace and mercy thinking that the finality of all things, the accounting, reconciliation of all deeds will not be judged! Why do they test God? Do they think this ancient document is too old, being written thousands of years ago?
Peter’s haunting words still ring true – “…in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?” Peter warns the reader, you don’t understand two things: One: God is outside of time, He created it. To God, time is different. “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day,” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8). Two: This apparent pause of time is purely because of God’s patience! So God has delayed the final day, that “DAY of the Lord,” a few “days” just so that of our stubborn stone hearts might be softened, our concrete conscience might be broken. The Apostle Paul mentions similar in Romans 2:4, Romans 9:22 & 1 Timothy 1:16. What a warning for those who mock God even as He extends His grace to accommodate our foolishness!
God waits for people to turn to Him and come home!
Prayer
Dad,
I have seen too much! I know too much to allow myself to take your grace, mercy and extended patience for granted. Even while I was opposed to You, You extended a chance at redemption, a life filled with so much joy and adventure. I grasped it by faith and I will never let go. I am extremely grateful You made yourself real to me, even as a teenager. So much of life was yet ahead and even though I was slow learner, I had time to grow and mature in my walk with you. I took advantage of your patience and was the beneficiary of a great life! I do not fear that “Day,” because I have been spared. My sin and shame have been wiped clean because of Jesus. Yet, I long for those who do not yet know you or have wasted their years trying to run from your grace. Thank you for your loving patience towards them as well. Amen.