This
week has started off as an emotional one. While I am praising the Lord for a
new brother in Christ, I am remembering in prayer the family of a sister who
has gone on to her reward. How comforting it is to know that sister is with our
Maker at this time. What a blessing it is to be in Christ; to be called one of
His children and to know that if we live a life faithful to His word, we can
live eternally with him.
Too
many people have thought about becoming one of God’s children, only to delay
their decision. What is the danger in delaying becoming a Christian or carrying
out your duties as a Christian?
1.
Opportunities
cannot be recalled once they have been wasted. Felix and Agrippa wasted
opportunities (Acts 24 & 26). We cannot afford to turn a deaf ear toward an
opportunity to teach, help, or even listen to someone. Sure, another
opportunity may come along, but that one is forever gone.
2.
We are not
promised tomorrow (Jam. 4:14; Prov. 27:1). The rich farmer found this out only
after it was too late (Luke 12).
3.
The longer you
procrastinate, the less it bothers you and the more hardened your conscience
becomes. Those in Ephesus were “past feeling” (Eph. 4:19). Paul wrote to Timothy, that there were
those whose conscience was “seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2).
4.
The example
you will leave behind. In Luke 16, the rich man in torment pleaded with the
Lord to send Lazarus to warn his brothers not to follow his example, lest they
spend eternity in torment as well. The excuse of, “But if I become a Christian,
then I am condemning my father/mother” is a worthless one.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on
the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a
little time, and then vanisheth away.”
James 4:14