Debating or Preparing

We have quoted this verse an enormous amount of times in church:

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 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.

I have read hyper-Calvinists dance around with this verse suggesting that the "you" is carried into the word, "any" in regards to those who perish.  That God is patient with them that any of them should not perish.  This is done to justify the argument that God has only desired to save the elect.  But look at the next sentence: "but that all should reach repentance." 

Come on!  If Peter is talking about only the elect, why then do the elect need to "reach repentance"?  Any way.  I imagine that we could argue this back and forth in some way, shape or form.  I know what I believe and I think correlates with the heart of Jesus in the parables.  This verse encompasses the largeness of God's love and desire.  He sends the servants out to compel as many as they can find to come to the banquet.  

But what's interesting is the verse right after the often debated verse 9 of 2 Peter 3.  Look at it:
2 Peter 3:10 (ESV) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

The debate should end on that verse!  For while we "theological experts" try to prove our side is right, the moment of the Lord's return is immanent and that should be the focus of our lives.  We should live not dissecting scripture to prove our theological presupposition, but rather preparing ourselves for the Lord's coming at any time. 

Are we ready?  Are we preparing ourselves as the wise virgins of Matthew 25?  Or are we sleeping without the oil in our lamps?  The works of our lives will be exposed.  What will our dissertations mean then?

PRAYER:
Father, I want to learn about You, but not at the expense of my passion for Your return.  Forgive my heart for making an idol of knowledge.  I know fully that knowledge puffs up, love builds up.  I ask you to keep my fire burning.  As I get older and longer in this work and study, I desperately need the passion of God aflame in my heart once again.  Come Lord Jesus!

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