Coffee With The Lord

So here’s the sequel to yesterday’s post in  “coffee with the Lord”…  Doesn’t need much comment…

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.  And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved… I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.  Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”  (2 Peter 3:14–18 NLT)

According to these passages we face two things… The frightening prospect of “the Day of the Lord” and the wonderful prospect of “the day of God” with the confident hope of “a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells”!

I intend to live ready for what the future brings… trying to reach others with the gospel… staying alert and on guard for my own spiritual welfare… and keep on growing in the wonderful grace He provides… all the while getting to know Him better and better!!

How about you?

Reading the description of the end of the world as we know it in the Bible this morning (2 Peter 3.10-13) reminded me a little bit of scenes I’ve seen from a couple of older movies (“Independence Day” and “Apocalypse Now” – there may be more recent films that come to your mind).  Here is what the Bible says…

“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… That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in fervent heat.” (vss. 10, 12b)

What a contrast the other verses in this passage present…

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…  in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells!  (vss. 11-12a, 13)

The Bible clearly teaches this old globe we live on is one day consigned to destruction!  The world I am looking forward to (and living for) is a “new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells!” (Check out Revelation 21-22 – Pretty awesome!!)  Gotta be ready… Gotta live ready!

That’s why I’m taking 1 John 2.15-17 seriously…

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

We can draw all kinds of wrong conclusions about the “delay” of our friends…  They don’t care about me anymore!  They forgot our appointment!  Something must have happened to them!  Something more important came up!  They’re like that – they procrastinate all the time! And there are others…

The Lord isn’t like that… Don’t second-guess why the Lord hasn’t returned yet as He promised!  His “delay” has a redemptive purpose!

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ … 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 3:3–9 NIV)

Don’t worry… don’t lose heart… don’t lose your expectation… HE’S COMING AGAIN!  His delay is redemptive!  His promise is sure!!