Dear beloved: In light of all the turmoil, chaos, and terrorist activity in the world today, how then shall we live? It would be very easy to look about and see all the destruction, from ISIS to Al- Quaeda, drug cartels, child trafficking, and on and on it goes, and just throw up our hands and give up. If we focus our eyes on the world and all the events therein, it gets very depressing, and in a short time we want to give up and eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we may die. So what does God's word say about how we should live in light of all that we see?
Peter gives us instruction in 2 Peter 3:11, where he says, Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, v12 looking for and hastening the coming day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? v13 Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. v14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found in Him in peace, without spot and blameless; v15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation- as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you.
Beloved, the Lord is coming back and all that we see here on the earth will soon be gone! When that precise day will be, only the Father knows, not even Jesus Christ knows the day or the hour. But until that day, we are to be about the Father's business, bringing the good news of salvation to all those in the world who are lost. We must have the same mind as the Father, and not give in to frustration, fear, and discouragement. Why is the Father slow about ending all this madness and chaos? Peter answers that question for us as well in 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack (slow) about His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
God could send His son Jesus today to rapture the church and begin the series of events that lead to the Millennial reign of Jesus on this earth. But He is longsuffering, patient toward us, so that we can spread the good news of the gospel, share with friends and family, that they may come to know the joy of salvation. The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation! Take advantage of the time given to you to share your talents, your resources, and your gifts with those who don't know Jesus. Get your eyes off the world, and onto the Kingdom of God. God bless you as you pray. In Christ, Jim
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