WordJourney Magazine

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance — 2 Peter 3.9 (NKJV)

Calling Good Bad And Bad Good

The days in which we are living can seem surreal as good is called bad and bad is called good, making it difficult, almost impossible for people to stand upon the truth without being constantly challenged with the following statements:

• There are many paths to God.
• Why shouldn’t two loving people of the same gender marry?
• Mankind evolved from apes and we’re still evolving.
• It is my body and I can do what I want with it.
• There are no absolutes.
• Sin is only doing something that is wrong for you.
• Where is God? Nothing ever changes, He is a figment of your imagination, you are stupid….

Godly parents, seeking to raise their children on a strong foundation know that general society offers no support. A few generations ago only a few kooky fringe types would dare challenge Judeo-Christian principles, but today those challenges are accepted as normal — even widely embraced!

For some reason I’ve been hearing the last (bulleted) point a lot lately — where is God? Not from Christians (though we wait for His return) but from scoffers who attack moral absolutes.

Where Is God?

In 2 Peter 3:4 the apostle Peter addressed this very subject, taking into consideration the following question that unbelievers are asking:

“Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Peter answered that question by first stating the underlying point: they are willingly forgetting. He goes on to say that God’s earlier judgment (via water during the time of Noah) has already been executed while a latter judgment (via fire at the end of the age) is still in reserve. We’re living in the time between two judgments, but we’re to be mindful of the first one as it assuredly points to the one yet to come.

Much More Patient Than Us

In my younger days I sometimes found myself being impatient, urging God to bring His judgment upon this world (right now!) so that we could live in perfect peace with Him. Certainly, I yearn for his return, but I also know that many of my loved ones still don’t know the Lord. I may not be the witness that they need to hear from, but I know that God sends others to shine the light in their lives.

We’re also witnessing some incredible movements of the Holy Spirit throughout the world these days with previously unreached people groups responding to the gospel. These new believers, in turn, are spreading the Word to areas where no western missionary could possibly visit, breaking down barriers that have existed for centuries.

In verse 8 believers are reminded of God’s patience and how he views the passage of time: “…do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Clearly, what seems like forever to us is but a moment in time for God who isn’t bound by time. Thankfully, when God hears our prayers, He separates our unwise and misplaced requests while accepting the yearning that we have for Him.

Verse 9, as mentioned at the start, brings it all home: God does not want anyone to die without receiving Him. Yes, many will reject His way but others will repent.

In the New King James Version I’m glad that the word “longsuffering” is retained from the KJV.  Though the word means “patience” its usage offers a much more accurate description of what God willingly is going through — a long period of suffering with mankind. My, what a wonderful love He has for us!

His Return, Be Steadfast

The remainder of the chapter quickly shifts to the return of Jesus Christ and the admonition for believers to remain steadfast lest we be led away with the error of the wicked. Instead, as outlined in verse 18, we’re to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”

Certainly, these are trying times for those who love God and are groaning under the weight of sin. But, His work in this world isn’t done as there are still those who must be brought into His kingdom, something we are to look for and hasten (v.12).

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