UNDERSTAND THE FATHER’S HEART
SCRIPTURE: II PETER 3:9 (NKJV)
”The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
It is very refreshing to know that our Father has shared his intentions with us because we are His children. As His children, we represent him here on earth and act on His behalf according to his will. We need to understand that when our Lord Jesus gave us permission to use his name to preach, heal , cast out devils and do other things in ministry, he was saying in effect; “go and represent me.“ Acting on his behalf, therefore, meant that it would be just as if he himself was physically present.
Today’s verse reveals our Father’s heart and intent, but it also reveals the implications it has for us as believers. Consider this thoughtfully: ”He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” That is an amazing thought. God does not want any to perish. I find it quite sobering to think about this. Consider the people you know who have died without receiving our Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Talk about relatives, colleagues at work, friends and other acquaintances who died without accepting Christ Jesus as Saviour. What will befall them? All these people did not need to perish. Why? Because our father has already sent Jesus Christ to die for their sin and secure salvation for all men. Our Father is not willing that any should perish.
So then, why would men and women perish if they didn’t receive Christ Jesus as Saviour? Because they refused to make the choice to accept God’s provision, which is Christ Jesus, into their hearts as Saviour whilst they were alive. As believers, this is where you and I come in. What bothers our father must bother us.
Jesus has done his part by purchasing salvation for all men through his death and resurrection. It is our turn now to demonstrate our sincere love and concern for lost souls so that, hopefully, they would receive Christ and be saved. We must preach the gospel of Christ Jesus to every man or every soul. God is concerned about the salvation of every individual. He doesn’t want any to perish. The people we meet daily in our homes, in our communities, at our workplaces and elsewhere all need to hear of the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ. They should not perish.
How much are you committed to preaching the gospel to lost souls who may be relatives, friends or work colleagues? How concerned are you that some people are perishing without receiving Christ Jesus as Saviour? How much are you willing to do with your time, energy and money so that someone who is without Christ Jesus doesn’t perish?
PRAYER
Thank you, dear Father, for keeping us here on earth to represent you and your interests. It’s not your will that any soul would perish without Christ Jesus. May our hearts be stirred up by your Spirit with true compassion for lost souls. May we make and keep soul winning as a priority in our personal lives. May we pay every price with our time, energy, money and all to bring lost souls to salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you, Father, for the privilege of being co-workers with you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
JOHN 3:16-19,36
[16]For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
[17]For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
[18]“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[19]And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[36]He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”…”