Forgiving Patience

The Lord is not negligent concerning his promise, as some count negligence, but is patient toward you all, not intending for any of you to perish but for all of you to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

All doctors know that some of their promises take longer to come true than others. So they continue to work on behalf of their patients, encouraging them to follow the rehabilitation plan so they will recover fully. In the same way Jesus is not negligent about his promise to return and finish the process of saving us from our sin. And that time is nearer than when we first believed. While we wait, he suffers through our recovery with us, patiently giving us time to repent of our failures to trust him completely. If he intended for us to perish he would cut off his life supporting fellowship from us. But that is not his intention. He will not “pull the plug.” Rather he exhorts us to “be diligent to be found by him in peace, spotless and blameless.” To that end he gives us every opportunity to forsake our rebellious ways and to live godly and holy lives. He works for our forgiveness now as always.

Lord Jesus, thank you for patiently giving us every opportunity to be forgiven so we are found spotless and blameless when you return. “Teach us to number our days and gain a wise heart, so we act in a timely manner. Amen.