The Longsuffering of our LORD is Salvation

The world for some time has been operating under the illusion that lasting peace is just beyond our grasp.  The generation which saw the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin wall, and sang along with "We Are the World" had bright hopes for the future.  The self-esteem movement, the tackling of social issues like illiteracy, world hunger, poverty, and campaigns to promote safe-sex, end racism, bullying, drug abuse, human trafficking, and domestic violence worked to make a difference.  In light of the ongoing riots and looting in the United States, from a humanist perspective it seems the hope of a brighter future is in grave doubt.

The protests, riots, and looting show a greater and enduring cure is needed for the ills of hearts of men.  As awful as violence and destruction is it can be compared to a sore throat and fever that finally moves a person to seek medical aid.  I pray this is a moment when despairing people turn to God instead of on each other.  Whether or not a protest is "peaceful" or turns violent the same murder can fester unresolved in the hearts of men.  If the hope in protesting is to be heard by men or to change circumstances for your benefit, I believe such faith is misplaced.  It is better to seek the LORD, cast our cares upon Him, and follow His leading to love one another as Jesus loves us.  God can enact miraculous changes in the hearts and minds of people videos, signs, and slogans cannot.

Today I read 2 Peter 3 where Peter explains how God's judgment will ultimately come swiftly and be complete:  the world and all the works in it will be consumed with fire.  2 Peter 3:11-15 reads, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..."  The hope and home for followers of Jesus Christ is with Him in the new heavens and a new earth created by Him where we will dwell together for eternity.  Those who actually experience a revolution will require another one at some point until this world is unmade by Him who created it.

Since Jesus is our Righteousness and our Peace, we ought to be "diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless."  The standard we follow is greater than that of Law but according to the righteousness of God and obedience to Him.  As much as depends upon us we are called to live peaceably with our fellow man whether chatting anonymously online or in person on the street.  We ought to obey the authorities as unto the LORD because we trust Him without taking matters into our own hands.  When the violence of citizens becomes too much for local law enforcement the government can declare martial law and bring in the military to restore order.  God could have justly done this a very long time ago but He is longsuffering and desires to save.  The longer He waits the more He saves.  Praise the LORD He has shown great restraint and love towards those who rebel against Him, and let us resolve to be diligent to be found by Him in peace and blameless toward God and man.