EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/18/2026
8:32 PM
My
Worship Time Focus:
PT-3 “The
Character of God”
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: 2
Peter 3:9
Message of the verse: “9 ¶
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but
is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should
reach repentance.”
This evening I continue to look at
this very important verse from this very important chapter of 2 Peter by using
quotes from John MacArthur’s commentary along with things that I will write
also, and also quoting all of the verses that MacArthur brings up in his
commentary.
“You refers both to Peter’s
immediate readers and any who will ever come to faith in Jesus Christ (cf. John
10:16).”
(cf. John 10:16)
“16 And I have other sheep that are not of this
fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will
be one flock, one shepherd.”
“Some have
argued that you implies to salvation of all people. But the immediate context and comments about ‘the
destruction of ungodly men’ (v. 7) clearly limits the you to
believers. The letter is addressed to ‘those
who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our
God and Savior, Jesus Christ….He has granted to us His precious and magnificent
promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature (1:1b,
4a)…From then on, the use of you is
directed at believers (2:1-3; 3:2).”
(2:1-3; 3:2)
1
¶ So put away all malice and all deceit
and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure
spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
good.”
“2 when they see your respectful and pure
conduct.”
The you
of 3:1 are ‘beloved.’ The words
of verse 8, ‘do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved (emphasis
added), again link the you to the beloved. The you with whom the Lord is patient
are therefore the same beloved ones He waits to bring to repentance.
“Those who perish—‘utterly
destroyed’ in eternal hell—suffer damnation because they are dead in their
sins and refuse God’s offer of salvation in Christ. At the same time, it is clear from Scripture
that the Father takes no delight in the death of the lost: ‘For I have no pleasure in the death of
anyone who dies,’; declares the Lord God.
‘Therefore, repent and live’(Ezek. 18:32); (cf. Jer. 13:17; Matt.
23:37).
(cf. Jer. 13:17; Matt. 23:37)
“17 But if you will not listen, my soul will weep
in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears,
because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.”
“37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that
kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have
gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and
you were not willing!”
“In fact,
God actually offers salvation to all (cf. Isa. 45:21-22; 55:1; Matt. 11:28;
John 3:16; Acts 17:30; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Rev. 22:17).
(cf. Isa. 45:21-22; 55:1; Matt. 11:28;
John 3:16; Acts 17:30; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Rev. 22:17)
21 Declare and present your case; let them take
counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I,
the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me. 22 "Turn
to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no
other.”
“1
¶ "Come, everyone who thirsts, come
to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and
milk without money and without price.”
“28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.”
“16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal
life.”
“30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but
now he commands all people everywhere to repent,”
“3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight
of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people
to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
“17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let
the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one
who desires take the water of life without price.”
I have to say that this section from today’s evening
Spiritual Diary has some challenges for me to understand, but my prayer is that
all who read it will have understanding of it.
It looks like in tomorrow evening’s SD I will be able to finish looking
at this very important verse.
1/18/2026
9:00 PM
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