Wait and Work

The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.... regard the patience of our Lord as an opportunity for salvation. - 2 Peter 3:9, 15

By the time Peter wrote his second letter, those who were enduring persecution for their faith were wondering if Christ was ever coming back. Some naysayers were even suggesting that He had already returned and that the faithful had somehow missed it. Two truths emerge from the Scriptures to counter such thoughts.

First, Christ cannot return "secretly" as some might suggest because the Bible clearly teaches that the whole world will be aware of His coming. No one will miss this universe-altering event. Second, God's Word never fails and He always keeps His promises. Jesus will return simply because He is God and He said He will.

The reason we must continue to wait for Christ's return is not because God is slow or irresponsible, it is because the church is. Every people (ethne) on earth must have an opportunity to hear of God's saving grace and until they do, until this work is done, we wait, but we also work.

We must allow time for change. Change is more often than not a process. Deep healing and supernatural change can take place in a moment, but often it takes months of struggle, trial and error, learning and unlearning. - Selwyn Hughes