Be Patient, Yet Active

II Peter 3:8-18

As we watch news broadcasts on television, and see the headlines in the newspapers, it is obvious the problems in the world seem overwhelming and often terrible.  In many places around the world Christians are persecuted, and in so many other places they are taunted, mocked and ridiculed for their faith by neighbors, coworkers, and even relatives.  This leads many of us to cry out to the Lord, asking Him to hasten His return, wondering why He is delaying, and to bring judgment on those who mock Him.

The believers to whom the Apostle Peter was writing were suffering strong persecution.  They felt God was taking too long in returning as He promised, and they longed to be delivered (vs. 8-9).  Peter told these suffering ones that there was a reason God was seemingly taking His time.  One reason Peter gives is one that should be welcomed, which is that Jesus is waiting so more people can be saved.  God has tremendous patience before He breaks forth in judgment.  He endures the breaking of all His laws, while He waits patiently, calling and saving the lost.  God does not act rashly, nor does he act to exact vengeance or prove His power.  But one day God will judge those who reject Him.  Those who end up in hell do so because they reject the only remedy - faith in Jesus Christ.  They have a non-repentant heart, rejecting the person and provision of the Savior.  Jesus delays His coming because He is patient, and desires time for more people to repent.

Peter continues in this passage describing how the earth will be burned up (vs. 10-13).  Knowing this we should put our trust and confidence in what is lasting, not in this world, which will be destroyed.  In light of this coming judgment and eternity, our lives should conform to God’s standards.  Our conduct should be holy, living separate from sin, and filled with godliness, a spirit of reverence in our attitude.  Verse 13 promises that God will destroy heaven and earth with fire, and then create new ones.  It will be a new universe, new in quality because righteousness has taken up residence.

In the remainder of our passage today, Peter warns about false teachers who will appear, twisting and distorting Scriptures (vs. 14-18).  We need to be on our guard.  To avoid the mistakes of wicked teachers we need to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus.  The better we know Jesus, growing in knowledge and spiritual maturity, the less we will be lead astray by false teachers.  This sinful world will challenge our faith.  We should never feel that we have come to a point where we can’t grow anymore spiritually.  We need to always be growing, and never be satisfied with where we are spiritually, and thus become complacent.  As we draw closer to Jesus, we will be prepared to stand for truth in all circumstances.

True believers should strive to be spotless and blameless.  This is a graphic contrast to the false teachers that Peter warns us to look out for.  One way to be that way is to live with the end in view.  This requires spiritual vigilance and self-control.

What would you like to be found doing when Jesus returns?  That is what you should be doing right now, today.  We do not know when He will return. During this time of God’s patience, Christians should be actively engaging in seeking the salvation of souls, as we remember verse 9.   The time is short.  We aren’t to just be sitting around waiting.  There is work to be done for the Lord today.