“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

As we live our lives, we must keep in mind the importance of our use of time as we look to our hope in Jesus Christ. There is only one reason that Jesus has not yet returned to take us home in Him. It is because of His desire to see more to come to Him. “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 3:9) Since God created time, time means nothing to Him as it is to us who live in time. “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.” (2 Peter 3:8) Therefore, we must keep in mind that God’s patience is about the salvation of others. “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.” (2 Peter 3:15)

Since God’s patience means salvation, there will come a day when God’s patience will end. When it ends, things will change. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10) Jesus will also remind us of the suddenness of His return. “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:29-40)

The question for us is, how are we to be ready? Peter answers this question with the last words of his letter. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) As long as we live, we are to be growing in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. With this in mind, Paul offers this prayer, a prayer we should pray for each other. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:9b-12)

When we grow in our relationship with God, we develop a desire to offer His grace to those who don’t know Him and need Him. Paul would add this prayer for our witness to those in need of Jesus. “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4: 4-6)

As of today, God’s patience is still offering His salvation. Let us take this time to grow in our grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to be a faithful witness sharing His grace that more may find life. This is to be our daily walk with the Living Word of God and the Written Word of God.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block