2 PETER 3:1-9 – This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  GOD’S SECOND GREATEST DISPLAY OF HIS LOVE.  When you read this passage, what are the different ways that God displays his love?  The first display is so easy.  It is the cross of the Lord Jesus.  There are so many scripture references to affirm this truth.  Here is one – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).  But what about the second greatest display of His love?  Your answer?  My answer?  It is in today’s scripture.

The Apostle Peter is writing about the last days.  He states there will be scoffers who say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

What these scoffers don’t realize is that they are affirming God’s second greatest display of His love. It is His patience. Later in the passage, Peter writes, But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).

Now make the application. Do we love people by treating them through God’s second greatest display of His love – patience?  When tempted to do otherwise, being impatient with people, stop and immediately remember God’s patience with us.  It will stop us in our tracks and direct us to give people a living example of God’s greatest display of His love – patience.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for a love that not only is displayed in giving Your Son but also in Your patience.”

QUOTE: “Think about God’s patience in our lives. It should cause us to always be patient with others.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim