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The Timing Makes All The Difference

for it is written,

‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.‘” – Romans 14:11

Have you ever missed out on an opportunity?

My son is 3 years old and likes to push the limits. Sometimes when my wife or I tell him to do something and he refuses, we start counting down,

“3…2…1…”

We are giving him the opportunity to obey, but also letting him know there’s a limit to how long he can delay before there will be a consequence. It’s not uncommon for him to resist until past 0. Then we say something like, “Alright, you’re going to time-out.” Then he screams and usually says something like,

“No!!!! I’ll do it. I want to do it.”

Unfortunately, time is up. We explain that he needs to listen and obey the first time we say something. Then he’s put in time-out.

An Eternal Punishment
It’s not good when my son misses the countdown. He doesn’t like the 3 minutes of time-out. However, it ends and life goes on.

God has given us a warning and an opportunity as well. There will be day of judgment. We don’t know exactly when, but we know it will come. Until then, or until we die, there is a great opportunity to repent and believe.

If we wait passed the deadline, punishment will come, but unlike my son’s time-out, it won’t end in 3 minutes…or ever.

All Will Kneel
All will kneel before Jesus and confess Him as Lord. The question is whether we do it before the countdown ends or after. Before, means to repent and believe and be forgiven and given eternal life. After is to have the horrifying realization that we missed our opportunity.

It reminds me of Joshua who asked the people of Israel what they would do now that they had settled in the Promised Land.

Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:14-15

Heavenly Father,

You have been merciful to all people, not immediately punishing, but being patient that many would be saved. Give me faith to believe and help me to endure until the day of Your return. May my knee bend before You, my Lord. Thank you for Your grace.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt