God in His mercy has granted us the gift of time. Often we have wasted this time for that which is not bread and for that which satisfieth not.
“Of no talent He [God] has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 77
“This life is man’s time of preparation for the future life. Should he neglect present privileges and opportunities he would suffer an eternal loss; no new probation would be given him.” –The Acts of the Apostle, p. 424.
We know however, that time exists in three dimensions. These are yesterday, today and tomorrow. Put differently, the past, present and future, respectively. It is also clear that “time squandered can never be recovered. We cannot call back even one moment.” Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 77. Many times we have wondered why some people in the past made grave mistakes and thus perished outside God’s path. They did not use their time wisely. Today, however, we may be repeating the same mistakes as they did. Therefore, the past has been left for reflection and from which to learn.
On the far end of the continuum is another group that put their salvation for tomorrow. In many offices, trays labeled “Pending” are full of files and papers waiting to be acted upon. In a similar way, many leave their salvation to a later date. But doing such is suicidal.
“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 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: 13–14
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27: 1
The apostle Peter, without doubt quoting the prophet Isaiah, writes:
“For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.” 1 Peter 1: 24. “Surely the people is grass.” Isaiah 40: 7
Today we can be there, but tomorrow we may not be, just as the grass of the field. In light of this, it is important for us to take care lest we perish outside God’s path. We have lived waywardly for so long. Yet still there is hope.
“The only way in which we can redeem our time is by making the most of that which remains, by being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption. In him who does this, a transformation of character takes place. He becomes a son of God, a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. He is fitted to be the companion of the angels.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 77
This we can only do today, not tomorrow, for reasons aforementioned. If we continue to slight God’s calls to repentance and confession we will finally be left alone. The call(s) we hear through the conscience is the voice of God through His Spirit. Of the Spirit it is written:
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4: 30.
The Bible tells us of people whom God left alone for hardening their hearts. “Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” 1 Samuel 28: 6
“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24: 24–25
“A ray of light from heaven had been permitted to shine upon Felix, when Paul reasoned with him. . . . That was his heaven-sent opportunity to see and to forsake his sins. But he said to the messenger of God, ‘Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.’ He had slighted his last offer of mercy. Never was he to receive another call from God.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 427
“Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3: 7–8
No one knows what time is still remaining to him in this life, so “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12: 1
In the verse just quoted, “The writer leaves it to each reader to discover what may be hampering his spiritual progress as a Christian runner.” –SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 480
The question remains: Today or Tomorrow? May the Lord sharply point out our hidden sins that today we may return to Him and find salvation before it is forever too late. AMEN.
Joel Msiska
Malawi/Tanzania