S90P9 – That which love seeks: to redeem all

2 Pet. 3:9

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.

One did not need to look that closely to see that there was a stark difference between the two teachers.  The first had been leading students for over two decades, and his classroom style had changed over that time based on his experience.  Teenagers can be hard to reach, and he was finished trying to break through to the ones who had no interest in learning from him.  Instead, he focused his efforts on those who had a hunger for the knowledge he could share.  The second teacher had been teaching just as long, but his skin was thicker, and his desire to see change in his students had only grown over time.  No matter the resistance he faced, his only goal was for all his students to learn something from him.

There is a reason why Jesus dined with prostitutes and tax collectors.  There is a reason why He even called a tax collector to follow him as a disciple.  There is a reason why a great persecutor and murderer of God’s people would be struck blind in his sin and then turn into one of God’s greatest teachers.  Love wants us all.  We are equally fallen and equally stained, and love wants to cleanse us equally.  There is a spiritual justice which will result in those who do not choose God perishing once and for all.  However, He remains longsuffering even with them.  It is the will of his love that all should gain freedom from the bondage of sin and be saved from eternal separation from him.

I have been guilty of withholding evangelism from those who I expect will not receive what I have to say.  We perhaps would not behave this way if we had the same desire to see every soul come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  We can come up with every reason and excuse why we know someone simply is not going to respond and why our time will be wasted, but our love for the lost should cause us to reach out even more to those, the ones we think possibly could be lost forever.  Love which is pure and compassionate would desire what He desires, that all would be redeemed.  After all, Jesus died not for some but for all.  Father, give us the love You have to desire to reach each and every soul with the good news of your kingdom.