God is longsuffering
(II Peter 3:9)
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.
God is not slack concerning his promise, What promise? Jesus is coming, judgment will occur, the earth destroyed by fire. God will keep his promise, but God does not act on man’s schedule. God’s desire is that men will come to repentance; he does not want souls to be lost. In light of that he is longsuffering.
Now, having said that, listen carefully to the first few words of II Peter 3:11, “But the day of the Lord will come…” How will he come? As a thief in the night. What will
happen? The heaven and earth and all the works thereof will pass away, they will melt with a fervent heat.
If you do not like the thought of being in fire, and none of us do you know, then the longsuffering of God can work out for your benefit. Let his desire be your desire as well, save yourself (Acts 2:40). The power of God unto salvation is in the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16).
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your soul” (James 1:21). In the gospel of Christ the following is revealed:
- Mans need for salvation (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
- God’s love for the whole world (John 3:16)
- The sacrifice of Christ for every soul (Hebrews 2:9)
- The need for our obedience to Christ (Hebrews 5:8-9)
- You must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17)
- Believe the gospel (Mark 16:15-16)
- Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30)
- Confess Christ before men (Romans 10:10)
- Be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
- Remain faithful until death (Revelation 2:10)
God is longsuffering not willing that any should perish, and because of that longsuffering we can say tonight, come in humble obedience to the gospel of Christ. Save yourself.