Sweet Salvation {part II}
"The LORD is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." // 2 Peter 3:9
I think the character of God is so clearly reflected in that sweet little verse right there. God gave the world a way back to Himself - Jesus - and He also gave the world free will. We get to choose whether we are going to accept and receive the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal hope - or whether we are going to choose to live apart from the source of all good things.
So our sweet God waits.
It may seem like God has forgotten about us. It may seem like He's forgotten about His promise to rid the world of evil and rescue His children. He hasn't. He's simply waiting until every single one of His creations has the opportunity to return to Him.
"The LORD is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
So beautiful and sweet.
I love the way 'The New Bible Commentary' explains the delay:
"God is not limited by time. There is a difference between the divine and human methods of computation... The delay therefore is no indication of divine heedlessness. Any seeming delay is rather to be interpreted as dictated by merciful compassion. His purpose is one of love and mercy. His delay is an increased opportunity for salvation." {emphasis mine}
I could just read those words over and over again. Such a sweet, sweet God.
Whenever it seems like God is standing still and not making any moves in your life, maybe He's waiting for you to make a move toward Him. Maybe He's sitting excitedly on the edge of His Throne just watching and waiting and praying you take the first step toward receiving the sweet gift of salvation.
//
If accepting Christ as LORD and Savior of your life is something you've never done before, let the Word be your guide. Romans 10 tells us "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as LORD, and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
'LORD, I am a sinner in need of a savior. I understand that I cannot save myself. I cannot work my way to salvation. You made the only way - Jesus. I believe that you sent Him, your only Son, the perfect one, to die in my place, as payment for my sins. I believe that He rose again from the dead and conquered sin once and for all. Through Him, my sins are forgiven, and I am reconciled with you, My Creator, My Maker, My God. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for your unfailing, unchanging, unending, unconditional love. Amen.'
If you believe those words, turn your face to God, pray them with full conviction, and know that you will never again be separated from God! Hallelujah!
If you can't fully commit to those words, that's ok, too. God is patient. He invites us to bring our doubts, our questions, our fears, our worries to Him. He wants to answer your questions. He wants to reveal His love to you. Just open your Bible. Read all about Jesus in the book of Luke, and get to know your Maker.
He is so sweet.