2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9 says, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  The reason that Christ has not returned yet is that God is still giving as many people as possible the opportunity to repent and be saved.  If we are praying for Christ to return soon, then we are not exhibiting the same love for the lost that God does.  Verse ten adds, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Peter tells us that the Lord, or Christ, will return like a thief in the night as far as knowing when He will return.  I have said before that some people are convinced that the time is at hand, but we are told by God's word that we will never know the time.  We are simply to be ready and be at work sharing the gospel.  Unlike the birth of Christ, when He returns the world will be burned up.  Everyone, lost or saved, will know.  Verse eleven continues, Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  If we believe that this is going to occur, that God's judgment is certain, then we are asked what manner of people should we be.  We should speak and live by the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twelve states, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  We should look for the second coming in hope, and if we would hasten the day that it occurs, we must be witnessing daily for Christ.  This should be our concern, and even more so if we believe that the day is close.  We, like God, should hope that none would perish.  Verse thirteen adds, Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  We are to have faith in God's promise of a new heaven and earth.  This is what we are to look forward to, and it will be a place with no sin or death.  Verse fourteen continues, Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  If we are looking for this new heaven and earth, we must be diligent in our faith in God.  We can only be at peace with God and without spot or blemish by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse fifteen says, And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;  Peter tells us to count the long suffering of God in delaying the second coming as a time for others to claim the salvation of Christ.  Though some questioned the apostleship of Paul, Peter embraced him as a fellow apostle and said that Paul had been preaching and writing the same thing.  God does not have one truth for one follower of Christ and another truth for another believer.  Verse sixteen adds, As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  Peter said that some of the things that Paul wrote were hard to understand by those that were unlearned and unstable.  Matthew Henry says this refers to those who have not truly accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, but who still attempt to interpret the gospel.  Verse seventeen continues, Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  As followers of Christ, we know the truth of God's word, still we must be careful that we don't allow someone to lead us away from this truth.  The way to do that is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in all that we do.  Verse eighteen concludes, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.  We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The world cannot teach us these things, but they are a gift from God through faith.  Therefore, we are to give God the glory now and forever.