“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…” (2 Peter 3:9-10).
One of the great characteristics of God is His patience. His patience was on display as He waited to destroy the wicked until after Noah finished building the ark (1 Peter 3:20). His “perfect patience” made it possible for Paul – the “foremost of all” sinners – to be saved (1 Timothy 1:15-16). The patience of God is why the world remains – He is giving us time to repent. This is why Peter said we should “regard the patience of the Lord as salvation” (2 Peter 3:15).
However, at some point God’s patience will run out. This will happen when the Lord returns. At that point, those who are unfaithful will be destroyed. Paul warned the Romans of this: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds” (Romans 2:4-6). The thought of God’s wrath building against us ought to be frightening. His patience allows us time to avoid that wrath; but when the Lord returns, that time will be up.
The above post is an excerpt from the book, Basic Bible Truths: Laying a Foundation for a Lifetime of Spiritual Growth and Service. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!
