GOD’S PATIENCE

GOD’S PATIENCE

2 Peter 3:9     

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count  slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

             This verse has been misunderstood and misused so often that Christians have failed to claim it as a divine promise for themselves. Frequently, Bible teachers have falsely interpreted this passage to show that God is patient with everyone in the world to the extent that he’s delaying his end-of-the-times activities in order to give more unconverted heathen an opportunity to repent and to believe. Somehow this idea has crept into the minds of believers and produced an idea about God that’s not true.

            Remember that the apostle addressed this epistle to “those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours” (1:1). This letter was written to stimulate believers’ thinking to recognize false teachers and prophets who would lead people astray in the last days (2:1-3:2). These scoffers mock the Lord’s promises with cynicism and scorn (3:3-5). Because of their actions, Christians were encouraged to remember God’s power and precious promises (1:3-4) so that they would prepare for Christ’s coming with all godliness.

            With this as the proper context, Peter tells them in 3:9 that God is not slow in keeping his promises. He has his own timetable. His use of time is totally different than ours (3:8) to show us his patience. But notice the recipients of this patience. It says he “is patient toward you”. In other words, God is patient with believers, not wanting any of them to perish, but for all of them to come to Christ in God’s time. This verse was originally given to comfort Christians about God’s ways in salvation, not to the heathen. Meditate on this glorious thought: God is incredibly patient with us! He hasn’t forgotten his salvation promises to us or to any of his elect! We’re secure in him!. That’s comfort!