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.
Their plan is to do it “Someday”.
The problem is that they wait for different reasons.
Let us examine some of the reasons people use to put off obeying the Gospel.
Some feel like they must get their life right before they obey the gospel.
News flash! None of us are perfect.
If we wait until we are perfect, we will never get there.
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.
2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; to Him be the glory forever and ever, amen”.
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 because Jesus and His apostles commanded it (Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:17; James 1:4)

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 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 do what is necessary to become saved.
Some are killed and never have the opportunity to obey.

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.
But too many wait and never get the chance to obey the gospel, and become a Christian.
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.

Conclusion
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 publicly, and be baptized for the remission of your sins.
Then grow to live a faithful life.

By Carey Scott

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