Sunday, January 4, 2015

January 4 (2 Peter 3:9)

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.  (ESV)

It is the start of the new year, and we all look forward to certain things that we hope will happen, but is the return of Jesus really one of them?  There may be anniversaries or activities that we have every reasonable expectation will take place this year, but most of us, if we give any thought at all to the return of Jesus, think of it is a vague event in the far distant future.

And why not?  We have been waiting two thousand years.  It is no surprise that for some this may lead to despair.  Maybe He is not coming back after all.  Peter reminds us that His delay is actually a sign of His immense love for us.  He wants all of His children to repent and turn their lives toward Him.

If you are reading this, then you are probably one who says that you do follow Jesus.  That is great!  For you.  Yet there are countless friends and family around us who are the walking dead.  They seem to be doing okay, but because they have not turned from their own path to follow Jesus, they are living in death.  Consider the delayed return of our Lord an opportunity to share the true life that you know with those you love.

Lord, help me take seriously the danger for my friends and family who do not know You.  Ignite in me the passion to shine Your light so brightly that they are drawn to surrender their lives to You and in so doing may know true life.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Whose resurrection from the dead brought life to me and to the world, amen.

Copyright © 2015 by Steven R. Perkins

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