A Patient Salvation

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,"

(2Peter 3:3-10, 14-15 NAS95S)

Observation:  How do we look at the world?  How do we choose to interpret the comings and goings around us?  What is our take on they delay of Christ's coming?  We are told to regard it as the patience of God, and to regard the patience of God as salvation.  

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance... regard the patience of our Lord as salvation (2 Peter 3:9, 15).

When was the last time you thought of the delay of Christ's coming as salvation?  But what if you aren't ready right now?  Then it just might be your salvation.  What if I'm not ready?  His delay might just be my salvation also.  What if your children aren't ready?  It might be their salvation.  What if your enemy is not ready?  Are you willing for Jesus to delay that it might be his/her salvation?  After all, Christ told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  Are we willing to wait for the answer to these prayers for those who bring hardship in our lives.  Christ was and He still is... And even if we are not praying and waiting for our enemies, Jesus has already prayed, continues to pray, and waits with eager longing and expectation for the day when they might surrender and receive his salvation.

A big part of the problem is perspective.  In church circles we often quote the text "without a vision the people perish!"  But I'd like to suggest that with the wrong vision the people perish.  Too often, we view the world from our perspective when God is calling us to view it from His.  We interpret the continuation of this old world as the delay of Christ's coming, but He interprets as the salvation of more souls.  We say it has been a long time since he promised to return, but He calls us to see through His eyes... With the Lord a thousand years is a day.  It's been less then a week since He ascended into heaven.  And from that perspective I think it's fair to say that we may only be hours or minutes away from His coming.

Application:  "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."  (Romans 13:8-14 NAS95S)

Prayer:  Lord Jesus show me the world this week from Your perspective.  Take my eyes off of self Lord.  Take my thoughts off of me and turn them heaven-ward and earth-ward.  Let me think what You are thinking.  Let me see what You are seeing Jesus.  Let what breaks Your heart break mine.  Jesus, I need you today.  I need the power that only You can bring.  I need the peace only You can bring.  

O Jesus forgive me for my lack of compassion and my indifference.  Forgive me for being so consumed with all the things I must do.  O Jesus I surrender this ministry to You.  I surrender the worship ministry to You and the visitation ministry.  

Jesus I need Your power, Your grace, Your leading, Your wisdom and insight.  I am nothing Jesus.  I need You desperately.  I need You to act through and for me.  Lord Jesus I'm asking for the anointing of Your Holy Spirit this morning.  Bring Your power Holy Spirit.  Bring Your perspective.  Bring Your leadership.  Make me ready to do whatever You call me to do.  I surrender my life to Your Leading Holy Spirit. Come lead me now.