I have this inner quickening in my soul that “time” for repentance is soon coming to an end—God’s plan is closer to being fulfilled with each passing day. Humanity must repent from sin [unbelief] and turn to God for salvation. We presently have a divine delay provided by what Scripture refers to as a time of grace. We are witnessing the goodness of God providing a Way to salvation in real time. A time to graciously and willfully respond to Jesus; because the time for salvation he offers will someday cease to exist.
Keep in mind, I am not predicting a timeline, I am simply reminding us all that God is not bound by our ideas of time and eternity is forever. In my spirit, I know we must be ready. Therefore, we must get our hearts [souls] right before Almighty God and cling to his grace every single day. Something that I have always known is God’s thoughts are very different, but when Jesus says, “You must be ready all the time for the Son of Man will come when least expected,” we can stand there—on solid ground—and know that is the Truth (Mat. 24:44). Jesus gives the example of some folks not being ready to meet him, “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left,” so, again that is the Truth upon which we can solidly stand (Mat. 24:40-41). Therefore, whenever the time of Christ’s return for his chosen is decided by the Father, we must be dressed in Christ’s righteousness and ready (Mat. 24:36).
In our passage today, Peter picks up the banner of Truth to remind readers that on earth some things are clearly stated in Scripture and are absolutely certain even when other things remain vague and uncertain. It is certain that sin is real, the penalty of death is sure, the ability to live in righteousness is available, witnessing in God’s strength is the believer’s commission, heaven and hell are real places, every human being will stand before Almighty God and give an account for his or her life, and the resurrection into eternal life with God will happen for those who respond in faith to the work of Jesus. For the things that remain uncertain like the exact time of Christ’s return or what it will look like at his coming is never worth an argument. He is coming and, if we are wise, we will think according to eternity and just live and prioritize each day out of that beautiful and certain Gift as we love God and one another.
2 Peter 3:8-13 NLT
8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 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. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for getting to us the things you want us to know and boldly proclaim. There are no guessing games when it comes to what you have already revealed in your Word about life. If we are honest, we know what is most important—the need for humanity to have a relationship with you. So, fill us with the Spirit, produce righteous fruit in our lives, build our faith strong, take us out into the world with purpose to share the Truth, and empower us to be your representatives of love each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.