“And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.”
2 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
The Lord is patient, Peter wrote, because He wants to see many people come to Him for salvation. Would His patience have run out earlier if more people had responded to the Gospel? Is there still plenty of room in Heaven? These are questions based on human logic, and not the great, infinite, patient, and eternal capabilities of God. Peter was also obviously aware of the Apostle Paul’s letters so they must have been widely circulated in the Middle East and even beyond in those days. One such Pauline scripture, perhaps even the one Peter was referring to, was Romans 2:4, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” We need to take note of the fact that God in kind. Other religions view God as being harsh, stern, unloving, impersonal, but the God we pilgrims worship is kind, loving, merciful, always there for us, wanting a personal relationship. He is a Father to His children. God’s kindness and patience are interrelated. However, in Romans 11:22, Paul wrote, “Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off “. We need to trust God in both His kindness and His patience. We may not totally understand, but that is what faith and trust is all about.
Earlier in 2 Peter 3, Peter wrote, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9). Peter is building a picture of God’s loving and patient kindness, based on His desire that He wants to give mankind as much of a chance as possible to come to repentance. A picture to refute the growing accusations that perhaps Jesus had forgotten to return to earth, or that he had changed His mind. Throughout the Bible there are references to God’s patience, such as while Noah was building the ark. Even though God had decided to destroy the people of the day, He patiently waited for up to another hundred years so that Noah would be saved. “So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!” (Genesis 6:13). Noah was 500 years old when he became the father of his three sons, but 600 years old when God shut up the door to the ark and opened the floodgates.
We pilgrims are also to be patient and kind. Colossians 3:12, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” These are all God-qualities, that are built within us as fruit of the Holy Spirit. Like God, we are to be patient. Patient with those around us. Patient in the face of irritations and trials, of which there are many in our lives. But the original meaning of patience was not a stoical passivity but an active endurance. To be patient is exampled through Jesus, who suffered much on this earth, and yet He was and is the Son of God. God’s plan for man’s salvation was birthed long before it was implemented, as we read in the great prophecies in Isaiah. And yet God waited patiently until His purposes and place, and history itself, coincided in a cross at Calvary. Romans 5:6, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” The right time is now, folks. 2 Corinthians 6:2, “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” Today, not tomorrow, or next week. We don’t know when we will have the opportunity to draw our last breath, but God is listening even now.
Father God. You want to-one to perish and all to be saved. We pray for our friends and families, that they will indeed hear Your voice, Your gentle whisper, connecting with their very souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 