Don’t Put it Off

“I passed by your church this morning and heard the congregation singing, Jesus is Coming Again.”

“Yes. It’s one of my favorite hymns.”

“You really believe He’s coming again.”

“Of course. God is not a Man that He should lie. Jesus promised that He will come again and He will.”

“If that is true, why is it taking Him so long to come? What about those Christians who have been waiting for decades, centuries for Him to come but they die in disappointment?”

“Many Christians die in faith not disappointment. They believe that Jesus will come again and that it might not happen in their lifetime.”

“So, if He’s supposed to be coming, what’s taking Him so long?”

“The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change his heart and life‘. In other words, our salvation is extremely important to Him. I’m very thankful for that. Not many people come to the faith early. It takes years for some to do that. Jesus is patient. He will wait for as long as He has to.”

“I’ve never read the Bible. Never had the interest in doing so. For me, it’s a book written by men.”

“Yes, it was written by men. It doesn’t deny that but these writers were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. He told them what to write. And He told his disciple, Peter that in the last days, people will laugh and make fun of us, saying, ‘So Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he? He’ll never come!’ That’s what you’re doing right now, isn’t it?”

He didn’t answer but she could see that he was reflecting on what she had said.

“God wants all people to be saved. And he wants everyone to know the truth. There is only one God. And there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Jesus Christ, who is also a man. Jesus gave himself to pay for the sins of all people. Jesus is proof that God wants all people to be saved.  That’s the Good News that we are supposed to share with people in our communities and all over the world before Jesus comes again because when He does, that means that time’s up. There are no more chances or opportunities for people change their minds. When He comes, those who are saved will be saved and those who are lost will be lost. The time to decide which one of these two things you want to be is now. This is a decision no one should put off until tomorrow or a later time. When it comes to accepting Jesus, don’t put it off; do it now!”

“Well, you’ve given me a lot to think about.”

She smiled. “That’s good.”

“Is my salvation that important to you?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my guy and I love you very much.”

“Come here, Baby.”

She got up and walked over to him. He reached out and pulled her so that she was standing between his legs. He put his arms around her waist and held her against him. “I love you too,” he murmured huskily. “And I want to make you happy. So, if studying the Bible will make you happy, I will do it.”

She was about to say, “I want you to do it because you want to and not because of me” but she changed her mind. At least, this was a start. “We can study the Bible together or you can come with me to Alan’s small group which he has at his place every Wednesday evening. There are about eight people in the group, myself included.”

“No, I’d rather study with you.”

“All right. Let’s begin next Sunday when you come over.”

“Sounds good. I’ll bring a notebook to take notes but, I don’t have a Bible, though.”

“That’s okay. I have more than one.”

“I’m actually looking forward to studying with you, Baby.”

She smiled. “Good. So, am I.”

He pulled her down on to his lap and kissed her.

The following Sunday, they began their Bible Study and he really got into it. They studied every Sunday. By the end of the month, he was going to the small group with her on Wednesdays. Then, he was going to church every Saturday with her.

At the end of the year, they got engaged and he became a member of her church. The following year after they got married, they started a small group in their home for couples. He became as passionate as she about leading others to Jesus. “When it comes to their salvation, I want to encourage people not to put it off. Like God and you, Baby, I don’t want anyone to be lost. I will spend the rest of my life doing for them what you did for me that day when you explained to me why Jesus hasn’t returned as yet.”

Sources: Bible Gateway; Bible Reasons; Bible Gateway;