How do we know that God is not willing that any should perish?

In 2 Peter 3:9, we see a foundational truth about God's character: He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. This verse underscores God's long-suffering nature towards His elect, indicating that His delay in returning or executing judgment is an act of grace intended to allow more time for His chosen ones to come to faith. This truth aligns with the doctrine of sovereign grace, emphasizing that God's initiative in salvation encompasses every aspect of bringing His people into a reconciled relationship with Him. This reflects the depths of His love and desire for the salvation of those He has chosen from before the foundation of the world.