2 Peter 3 -- Are We THERE Yet?

Peter must have felt like an adult driver with a van full of kids heading somewhere on an 8 hour drive:  “Are we THERE yet??” must have been ringing in his ears.  Peter knew that, as more and more days, weeks, months, and years passed since Jesus ascended back to Heaven people would begin to wonder if He ever was coming back.  His answer?

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.  The Lord is not slow in doing what He promised – the way some people understand slowness.  But God is being patient with you.  He does not want anyone to be lost, but He wants all people to change their hearts and lives.”

God is a God of second and even third and fourth chances.  He knows we are dust, yet He loves us in spite of ourselves and wants us with Him.  After all, He created us solely for Himself, for His own glory.

So what are we to be doing as we wait?  Aside from going, teaching, and making disciples, Peter said, “Do your best to be without sin and without fault.  Try to be at peace with God … Be careful.  Don’t let those evil people lead you away by the wrong they do.  Be careful so you will not fall … But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “  My commentary said, “Growth in grace is not increased head knowledge or tireless activity;  it is increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus.”

Father, I know that there is so much more I can learn about You and Your Son.  I’m thankful that You are holding back from returning, not only so more people will come to know You and Your Son, but also so that I can have time to become more like Christ, for He said, “This is eternal life – to know Christ and the One who sent Him.”  I’ve still got a lot of growing to do Father.  Let Your Holy Spirit open my heart and mind to what I need to learn and enable me to change.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford