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 everyone to come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:8-9.
Maranatha — O Lord come (1 Corinthians 16:22). This cry of the early church, especially during trials, persecutions, and difficulties, must be tempered with the reminder that there is a lost world around us. We want the Lord to come, but many of our dear friends and family are lost. Our passion for the Lord‘s coming must be equaled by our passion to share his grace with those who have not “come to repentance” (Acts 17:30-31). They have not changed their hearts and lives to serve the Lord based on their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior — the one who died to bring them life. Until Jesus comes, let’s commit to doing his work of bringing others to repentance and salvation in him because the Lord does not anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance!