“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but eve-ryone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of peo-ple ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat” (2 Peter 3:8-12, NIV).
When God granted us the opportunity last 2015 to roam around Singapore, my wife seemed to know the places where we were going, so I just followed her. I made sure that when we were walking along with the crowd and she was ahead of me, I would not lose her in my sight.
There was an instance that when we were in the MRT station and about to transfer to anoth-er ride, we were again with the crowd that was moving fast. And we had to use an escalator. My wife was ahead, for we could not ride the escalator side by side. When you ride an esca-lator there, you have to leave the other side free, for those who prefer to walk or who are in a hurry.
When my wife and were about to ride the escalator going upward, I missed the first step. When I fell face downward, it was good that I was able to use my arms and hands to prevent my face to hit the other steps. I felt I would sit down for a while and “lick my wounds,” so to speak. But, when I looked up, my wife was not aware of had happened to me. So, hurriedly I got up to follow my wife, lest I would be left behind and not find my way in that foreign place.
In our Christian life, no matter what would happen to us, we need also to keep on following the Captain of our salvation.
As the sheep of His pasture, we need to KEEP ON FOLLOWING JESUS and that’s what we are going to focus on as we deal with our text (2 Peter 3:8-12).
So, why should we keep on following Jesus, though we encounter difficulties in our path? When we fall down, what should prod us to rise and continue to follow our Savior?
Again, be reminded that 2 Peter was addressed then to the believers, who were bombarded with false teachings during his time.
He pointed out that they should rely on Scripture, because it was the written Word of God. And those who would distort it, or who would believe and live not in harmony with it would certainly suffer punishment from God.
Also, Peter pointed out that the Lord will rescue the godly from trials and hold the unrighteous for punishment.
And, now, even in the midst of false teachers or false believers, he would like them to become motivated in pursuing their Christian calling.
So, in our time, what should also motivate us to keep on going in spite of various distractions? Why should we keep on following Jesus, though we encounter barriers or burdens, or we are bombarded with doubts in our way?
First, BECAUSE THE LORD IS PATIENT (vv. 8-9).
We read verses 8-9 – “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting any-one to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Peter pointed out that God’s perception of time was so different from human beings. “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” So, though others could regard it was a delay for Him to accomplish His promise, but in reality it was not. He was actually displaying how patient He was toward them.
For some it may appear, He was behind the schedule, but actually He was just giving the believers time to repent of the sins they committed, to acknowledge them and to repent of them.
And that should motivate them to do it, because God was giving them time. And if ever they are reluctant to move forward, as they are threatened by the great difficulty ahead, they need to proceed nevertheless, for God could also accomplish His deliverance at any moment.
At the initial state of Christian life, one had already repented. But, it does not mean, that there is no need for him to repent for every sin he committed as he walks in his Christian life.
And every time that he stumbles or commits a sin, it should not deter him to follow Christ. God is patient. He can give Him time to repent.
Also, disappointment or doubt for any promise of God should never be allowed to dominate in one’s mind, for He will never delay in accomplishing it. If He wills, He can even fulfill it in a moment. But, He is also patient in teaching us how to wait. He is patient in strengthening our faith in Him.
So, saints or believers in the church, when we stumble in sin, let us not give up in following Jesus – of course, not any Jesus but the One taught by the apostles. For we can repent no matter how great is our sin in our eyes or in the eyes of others. We may not overcome our sin at once, but God will give us enough time.
For many years, I worshiped God in vain and committed other unrighteous acts that until now I would shrink in shame, if I would think of them. Thankfully, God is patient. He gave me time to acknowledge my wrongdoings and really grateful for His gift of repentance.
Like David who also disobeyed the law of God, each one of us can also repent and proceed to follow our Shepherd.
And if we claim any promise from God’s Word, let us not prevent the seeming delay to give up obeying Him. He is always on time in accomplishing His promise.
What another reason why we should keep on following Jesus?
Second, BECAUSE THE LORD WILL COME (vv. 10-12).
We read verses 10-12 – “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will dis-appear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”
Another motivation that Peter pointed out to the believers, in order for them “to live holy and godly lives” – or keep on following Jesus -- was that the Lord will come. He will come in an unexpected time. He will come not just to save, but to destroy. Peter added, “That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”
Compromising with false believers, following their ways, though it could bring pleasure or earthly success or material gain, it would not be beneficial ultimately. God will come to bring all ungodly things to destruction.
And, so, Peter exhorted his readers to be motivated to live in obedience, “to live holy and godly lives” or keep on following Jesus.
Every true believer is regarded by God as holy, obedient child. But he should live out in his daily life his holiness or godliness, or being obedient to his Heavenly Father.
Jesus is the Shepherd and the sheep is expected to follow.
And one day He will surely come “like a thief” – or a time that we don’t expect. And He will come also for the destruction of the ungodly.
So, Christians should never be tempted to follow anyone, aside from Christ, no matter how delightful their “destination” would be. Since everything will just be destroyed.
How about you once young and young ones in the church – do unbelievers or false brothers/sisters bring you trouble? Even inflicting you with discouragement to follow the Biblical Christ?
Hold on to God’s Word.
Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10:
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”
So, when others would persecute or do us harm, “retaliate” by praying – not just for ourselves to see where we need to repent, but also for those who burden us, that God would also grant them repentance, so they would not suffer the punishment at the Lord’s coming. Overcome evil with good. When others or circumstances would try to distract or hinder us, keep on following our Shepherd. He will surely come. Sooner than we expect. To destroy the ungodly.
Before we close, let’s remember Psalm 23. We are so familiar with it. However, we usually think in that Psalm that because the Lord is our Shepherd, He will always lead us in green pastures, or beside quiet waters. However, we fail to grasp that as He leads us in the right path, we will also “walk through the darkest valley,” as we read in verse 4.
Now, if ever we find ourselves in that situation, let us not turn back. Even we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, let us not give up or turn back. We don’t have to fear, for He is with us.
Let’s keep on following our Shepherd. Because He is patient in leading us. And because He will come to destroy anything or anyone who opposes us.
