The Eleventh Hour (1)

At the risk of encouraging someone to wait to obey the gospel, I will say that if you have waited, and you are getting near the end of your life, it’s not too late to turn to God.

It’s a terrible idea to wait even a day, let alone years, to serve the Lord (I’ll write about this next week), but if you have made it to today then, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). Today is YOUR accepted time; behold, now is YOUR day of salvation. Don’t put it off any longer.

Eleventh hour confessions and obedience to the Lord are discouraged, but that may have unintentionally discouraged people from turning to the Lord at the eleventh hour when they need to and are even thinking about doing so.

We recently rejoiced in the baptism of a man in his eighties who had resisted the gospel until his illness put him into Hospice care. “What will people think?” may cross your mind. “I’ve waited too long,” or, “I’ve wasted too much of my life,” may tempt you to quit before you start. It didn’t stop the brother in his eighties and it must not stop you!

There is actually of parable of Jesus about this very situation. It’s in Matthew 20:1-16 and it tells of a man who hires laborers at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. They were all paid the same amount, even though some only worked one hour. They were paid the same because the owner (God) was “good” with what He has. God is good and compassionate and gracious and merciful whenever we turn to Him. It’s not too late when it’s the last hour.

This has wider application than just growing older. If you get sick, are in an accident, experience violence – these wake-up calls should turn you to Jesus to believe and obey. And if you were a faithful Christian, but have gone away from Jesus, it’s still not too late to turn to Him in faith, confess to Him, and ask forgiveness.

What you think people might think or say doesn’t matter. One thing matters. Have a trusting faith in Jesus. Repent of your sins. Confess your faith, and be baptized that your sins may be forgiven. His forgiveness in His death for you will give you life, no matter how much life you have left on earth. Don’t wait any longer!  dd

Next Week: Don’t Wait Until The Eleventh Hour