A Day to the Lord, part 5

Do you remember how Paul the Apostle was struggling with the same thing? “But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake” Philippians 1:23-24.
 

Paul understood the struggle. He understood the conflict with our human nature and the Spirit of God, which resides within is. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. However, I think what Peter is saying deals with and removes this dilemma, as long as we can trust God. 2 Peter 3:14-15 “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.” Paul is assuming that Christians live hastening the return of the Lord, so He begins by saying that since you all look for this to happen, don’t give up hope. Keep in mind that the Lord is not slow concerning His promise in the way that men assess time and count slowness – but is patient/longsuffering not willing that any should perish. 
 

This goes right back to our opening verse which reminds us that a day to the Lord is a thousand years to us. So when we are praying, and God gives us the assurance that our lost relatives will be saved, and we ask Him when that will take place and He says, in a couple of minutes, that could actually be several years away. Or it could be your whole lifetime. And that is what verse 15 is all about: don’t forget that God’s patience results in salvation. 
 

I wonder if the Lord has the same dilemma we have. He wants to return soon; He wants to bring His children into His presence. He wants to set us free from all the junk and filth we are living in down here on earth. But He is torn, not wanting any to perish, and so He waits patiently, doing everything necessary to bring His children to Himself. 

I believe the promise God wants us to get a hold of is that He is going to finish the work He has started before He comes back. And since the Day of Salvation represents our whole life – some of us came to Him before it ended – that’s you and I (if you have indeed asked Christ to forgive you of your past). And then, there are those who get saved right at the last moment. Either way, God has fulfilled His promise. 
 

When I think of my uncle who got saved just moments before dying, I see God fulfilling someone’s prayers for him. I know many who prayed for his salvation and the fact that he ultimately gave his life to Christ indicates that someone had prayed for him. I believe everyone who comes to the Lord has been prayed for. That is also why we can go to our graves still believing for the answers that have not yet manifested. 
 

How many of you know of a deathbed salvation experience? Or a salvation that took place just prior to someone going to see Jesus? Every one of you reading this today have been prayed for. That’s why the Holy Spirit is at work in your life, whether you recognize it or not. Today is the day of salvation; today is the day to surrender your life to Jesus.  END