Ludsville.net

This was thrown together very quickly so pardon the rawness.

2 Peter 3
In this chapter, Peter gives a encouragement to persecuted Christians who’s faith has been questioned. He does so in the form of a reminder that Christ is, indeed, coming back.

First, he quotes non-believers in their doubts:

‘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.”‘
(2Pe 3:3-4)

Then, he explains that they intentionally overlook certain key points:

‘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.’
(2Pe 3:5-8)

So God is coming soon, just as he said. The question is, “when is ’soon’?” Peter says “Whenever God thinks it is.” So why not sooner? Our man has an answer for that, as well:

‘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.’
(2Pe 3:9)

So God is just waiting because He wants as many to be saved as possible. So He is waiting for us and for our sake before affecting His promise and His plan. So not only has He limited His power (giving humans choosing power), but He is willing that all be saved. If such is the case, He does not cause any to not be saved (though He may let some not be saved as another restriction on His power).

However, God does not cause the unsaved to remain unsaved if He purposed them to be saved and called His servants to minister the Gospel which is necessary for salvation:

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
(Rom 10:13-15)

When ALL of those who God has called to a certain purpose follows that calling, the Gospel that they preach will be the power of God for salvation to all who believe (Rom 1:16)

Therefore, God is the one who does the calling. God is the one who does the saving. God uses us. We, however, must be available for God to use.

(not because God has any inherent need for us, but, again, He has limited Himself in accordance with His nature and the natural laws which He has set up to govern the world – another topic entirely)

Tags: Whatever //