2 Peter 3:1-10 The Scoffers' Ignorance

Peter took on the scoffers who were laughing at the very idea of God intervening with punishment.  Even with the limited knowledge of science in the world at that time, they’d decided that everything would tick right along and that it couldn’t suddenly be destroyed; therefore, judgment wouldn’t come and they would be proved right.  They also questioned the delay of God’s judgment, suggesting it as proof that the system couldn’t be altered.

Peter told them that God’s Word was true.  Judgment had occurred in the past – with the flood, with the Egyptian plagues, and with Sodom and Gomorrah.  It was all right there in plain sight.

He said that God’s Word was consistent.  God had created and He had destroyed.  They were deliberately ignoring evidence.  Since God had intervened in the past, creating everything we know out of nothing, and had intervened with punishment by bringing the flood, it was entirely consistent that He could intervene in modern times.  Since His Word made it all and holds it together, He can easily intervene.  “God has the power to break in at any time and accomplish His will,” my commentary said.  So what about the delay?

God’s will is merciful.  He is eternal, having always existed, while we are immortal – we haven’t always existed, but were created.  We have a beginning but not an end.  We will live forever, either in heaven or hell.

God is not constrained by time.  “He is never in a hurry, but He is never late,” my commentary said.  “God wasn’t delaying the return of Christ because He was unable or unwilling to act, but because He is longsuffering and wants to give lost sinners the opportunity to be saved … God’s delay is actually an indication that He has a plan for this world and that He is working His plan.”  The scoffers couldn’t see that He was doing all this for them in His love.

Father, I’m so thankful that You are a God who is absolutely in total control.  Otherwise, You wouldn’t be God.  Help me to use the time You are giving us to draw others to You and to show them the love You have for them.  Open their eyes, Father.  Remove Satan’s blinders so that they can choose to be saved.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford