II Peter 2:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
This is the second letter that Peter writes his letters to a group of Christian who lived in what was called Asia Minor but is now known as Turkey. This is a group of Christians comprised both of Jews and Gentiles. He had at one time preached the gospel in this region, these Christians were probably known to him. We see the letters that he wrote but not the letters that were sent to him. There is some debate on whether Peter wrote these letters or someone else.
This is a short letter. It has only three chapters. Peter speaks of how people were discrediting Christ as being a myth. Does that sound familiar. There are those who that today. But Peter writes that he was an eye witness to God speaking to Jesus saying, “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.” This was said during the Transfiguration of Christ.
Peter is basically trying to battle the rumors in this letter. In the second chapter, he speaks of false teachers and prophets who use the message of Christ for their own use. This still goes on today. I follow an older woman on Instagram…She is bluntly honest about how she fell into the trap of these teacher who promise money and restored health. Her message was much like Peter’s to these Christian… WARNING this is not what the Lord teaches. I like her blunt honesty.
In chapter three, Peter speaks of the end times. This is a prophesy. He speaks of mockers of those who follow Christ. These mockers will follow their own lusts. They ask where is Christ. He speaks of the heavens and earth are waiting for the destruction of ungodly people. He then says to God one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. It will happen, but in God’s time.
Then Peter says God is not slow like we see slowness, but God does not want any to perish. God waits until all is hopeless like in the days before Noah and the great flood.
Peter finishes by saying all we know of earth, the heavens, and the elements will be destroyed by extreme heat. There will then be a new heaven and new earth where the righteous will live.
This letter was hard to read this morning. So much of this seems to be happening. But the truth is there has been times like this before… and only God knows when Christ will come again. I have no doubt that He will come again. I don’t know if I will be here when he comes.
What do we do? We are to witness to those who are unbelievers who Jesus Christ is. We must present ourselves in a way that those who are not believers will want to seek out Jesus. We can do this by being kind and patient… When we pass judgement on people because we perceive that their sin is worse than our own sin… Jesus had a saying for that- before you take the splinter out of that person’s eyes- take the log out of yours. Search your own heart for judgmental thinking. Remember judgement like vengeance belongs only to God.
But the most important thing you can do is pray. Make a prayer list. Pray daily. Pray for those who have harmed you. Pray for you come to place of forgiveness… Remember God does not want any of us to perish. Our job is to help Him. This is not just for preachers but for all of us.
Today’s Question:
Do you find it difficult to witness to others about Jesus, and why is that?
Ever in Christ’s love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
February 6, 2024 & May 10, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 