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. (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)
I have gotten away with some devious deeds as a kid growing up. It wasn’t because my parents were bad parents and did not discipline me for my wrongdoings. Nor was it because my parents were absentee adults and were oblivious to what I was doing. No, rather they sat patiently in front of me, waiting for me to fess up to my deeds. Of course, the number of things that I actually fessed up to was far fewer than what they anticipated, but nonetheless, their tactic was genius– it allowed me to determine my own guilt and realize their grace upon the gravity of my own crimes.
The writer of 2 Peter implies the same thing. In a beautiful mix of grace and wisdom, God does nothing so that YOU can come to your own terms in regards to your own crimes. It’s a brilliant parenting tactic. I mean, God could come out and smite you for your ill thought acts of transgression. However, God doesn’t do anything. He welcomes you back, over and over. Not so that He can one day vindictively say, “Bam! Shouldn’t have done that.” But so that you would make your own decision to apologize and come back. The next time you think about exploding with anger and a lack of patience, think about the patience of God that gently brings you in. Moreover, think about the love God has for you in allowing you the time to contemplate and return on your own.
The patience of God is your salvation. It is why Jesus came to die on a cross. It is why we celebrate prodigals. It is why we rejoice at baptisms. It is why we share the good news.
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