Delay Is Opportunity

“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;” (2Pe 3:15 AV)

The idea here is the delay of Christ’s return means more opportunity of salvation to more souls.  The debate in Second Peter is the reality of Christ’s return.  Those who see the return of Christ as imminent are pressing their point with those who think it may never come.  Those who see the second coming of Christ as highly unlikely, or at the very least, of no concern, see no difference between the day of Adam as the present day.  They cannot see the world increasingly falling from the grace of God.  They simply see the existence of mankind as one long constant.  They assume the LORD has not returned yet, so He more than likely will not.  At least in the foreseeable future.  They mistake the delay of His coming with the reality of His coming.  If He is not coming back, then the world is not as evil as it could be.  Peter’s response is the longsuffering of Christ is not because God lacks concern for man’s wickedness.  Rather, He delays so more opportunity for salvation may be present for those still willing to accept His grace.  There is a practical application here for the saints.  We can take it as a warning.  Or we can take it as encouragement.

If you have ever watched the Andy Griffith show, there is a reoccurring character that is woven throughout the series.  Most of the time, he is comedic relief.  He becomes a distraction from, or a compliment too, the main story line.  Otis Campbell was such a fixture at the sheriff’s office that they made up a cell just for him.  He would often come in drunk and check himself in.  He would sleep off his stupor and return the next Friday evening.  Several episodes featured Otis as the storyline.  In one of those episodes, Barnie Fife, the deputy sheriff, is concerned they are encouraging Otis by not prosecuting him, further jailing him, or some other harsh consequences for his drunkenness.  Then, Barnie has a moment of compassion and convinces Sheriff Andy to make a project out of Otis.  Rather than entertain his unacceptable behavior, they take it upon themselves to transform Otis.  It works for a while.  Then an accident happens.  There is a mixup with a non-alcoholic libation and Otis is back on the sauce.  During the run of the series, Otis never really gets over his booze.  But the idea left with the viewer was Andy and Barnie could never bring themselves to fully condemn Otis.  To them, there was always hope.

We can look at the longsuffering of God as a warning to get on the right path.  Or we can look at it as an encouraging opportunity.  Why does the LORD put up with us?  Why does He entertain our prayers of repentance over and again?  Why is it that the LORD sees us better than we see ourselves, yet it seems as though, in His love, He gives us a pass?  Perhaps the longsuffering of God is more of an extension of His grace than it is a warning of pending correction.  We can see second chances two ways.  Perhaps we should see it both ways.  For the sake of this morning, we can see it in a way we perhaps fail to see His longsuffering.  We identify with the words of Jesus to the one made whole.  Go and sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee.  That is certainly one way to look at it.  Or we can see God’s longsuffering as the confidence He has in us that, given enough time and opportunity, we will finally get it.  Praise the LORD!  How good and gracious is our LORD!  He knows our frailties.  He knows our faults.  Rather than reacting swiftly, He puts up with us so that one day, we will get it.  It all depends on how we see His longsuffering.  If we see it as dodging a bullet, then change is unlikely.  But if we see His longsuffering as opportunity, the change will come.  It all depends on how we view the longsuffering of God.