Why Do You Wait?
We sometimes sing an invitation song with these words. The question is important
because getting right with God is not something to be put off for a later time.
In 2 Corinthians 6:2 Paul declares that today is the acceptable time, today
is the day of salvation. This is a quotation from Isaiah 49:8. Back in Isaiah's
day, the Israelites were not serving God faithfully. Isaiah warned them to not
delay in returning to God. The same message is true today.
I am sure a lot of people have the intention to get right with God and to benefit
from His grace. The problem is that they wait for different reasons.
Some feel like they must get their life right before they obey the gospel. News
flash! None of us are perfect. If we are going to serve God and obey God, even
as imperfect as we are, we must know that if we make the effort to serve God,
God is going to accept us. Sure, we must learn to grow and mature in our faith,
and God allows for that to happen, but also remember that we need to be making
the effort all the time to improve. Though we are human, and have flaws, the
goal of every Christian is to be perfect like Jesus is perfect. We at least
should be trying.
Some people cannot let go of their previous lifestyle. They might become an
outcast from their normal circle of friends, and that causes problems. True
Christians learn that they gain new friends when they obey the gospel and are
added to the Lord's body. These new friends have an interest in their soul,
whereas those former friends could care less about your soul, their soul, or
the soul of anyone else. And what those past friends will do are things that
God would not be pleased with.
Some may not be able to shake off bad habits. People get involved in drugs or
alcohol. Some get involved in sexual activity that God considers abominable.
Some do things that may not be as bad as other things, but still they interfere
with serving God as they should.
Whatever the reason people use to put off their obedience, it is dangerous to
their soul. None are promised that there will be another day. Circumstances
may prevent one from the opportunity to obey. Their soul is at stake and waiting
is not good. Some may survive until the day they finally decide to obey the
Lord and have their sins washed away. But too many wait and never get the chance
to obey the gospel, and become a Christian.
Some may be thinking about this, but an illness sets in or they get hurt in
an accident, and their plans get laid aside. Some who get sick find that the
illness is fatal, and they never get well enough to become saved.
Do not wait, the time when you are able to do something right is quickly passing
away. Failure to act now could mean the difference of going to heaven or ending
up in hell. Obviously, if you never obey the gospel, your destiny in hell is
certain.
Jesus is waiting with open arms for you, why not come to Him now. Learn what
you must do to be saved. Believe on Jesus as Lord and Him being the Son of God
who died on the cross for your sins. Repent of your past life, and change to
be pleasing to God. Confess the name of Jesus publically, and be baptized for
the remission of your sins. Then grow to live a faithful life.
By Carey Scott
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