“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?…For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:23, 32)
“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).
The context of the 2 Peter passage is regarding the day of the Lord. It’s talking about the end times of judgment. People are wondering why God doesn’t reveal himself now and destroy the scoffers and judge evil.
2 Peter 3:9 tells us the reason why the second coming of the Christ has not occurred yet is so that people will come to repent and receive eternal life. God is patient so that people may come to saving faith.
I don’t know how anyone came to picture God as a wrathful God with the hammer of justice ready to pounce on any who step out of line. Look at the verses from today. Do these verses reveal a God with the hammer of justice, ready to pounce on sinners? These verses reveal the very opposite.
I actually do know how we came to picture God as such a wrathful God. satan. satan wants us to believe that’s who God is. satan lies.
The heart of God is revealed in the verses of the day.:
- “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?“
- “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”
- “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”.
God loves you. Repent and receive the gift of eternal life in Jesus.
Praxis: Faith in Action 