Read 2 Peter 3:1-18

As we move from our teens into our twenties, most of us wrestle with burning questions like:

• What career should I pursue?
• Should I attend college?
• Should I marry?  If so, whom?
• Where should I live?

During that time, many people earnestly desire to know God’s individual and specific will for them.  But there are dimensions of the will of God that are even more fundamental than these.  Although the need for answers to these aspects of God’s will may not be felt as intensely, they are arguably much more important.  And rather than being unique to an individual, these are universal for all.

In these first few days of the study of God’s will, we want to explore these more universal expressions of God’s will for people.  The first of these is captured in the words of 2 Peter 3:9:

“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 wants all people to repent and spend eternity with Him.

The reality is that everyone has sinned.  Each one of us has violated God’s moral plan for mankind.  The consequences of sin are vast.  As a result, we are spiritually dead, separated from God, and deserving of eternal punishment.  Turning over a new leaf, just won’t resolve this problem.  As a result, reconciling our relationship with God represents a human impossibility, and it marks the biggest need of our lives . . . bigger than the understanding of what job to take or the person to marry.

But God has made that possible.  Through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, He offers to reconcile our relationship.  His desire for all is that we experience that through repentant faith in Christ.

Thankfully, He is patient with us.  He gives each of us an entire lifetime.  He brings circumstances, messengers, and reminders of His powerful glory into each person’s life.  All of these prompt individuals to surrender to Christ in repentant faith.

That is His will for you and for everyone you will encounter today!

Steve Kern