It has been said that procrastination is the thief of time. I’m not sure who first said that, but it is true. We are all guilty of wasting time once in a while, but some have majored in the art of putting things off. Gloria Pitzer wrote, “Procrastination is my sin; It brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it; In fact, I will…tomorrow.”

While procrastination can cause a lot of problems in our lives today, nothing is more tragic than the fact that it will cause some to lose their soul eternally. The most serious area of procrastination is when it concerns God’s will. Paul once wrote, “…I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). Now is the time that God is offering His grace to a lost world, but such will not always be the case. The day is coming when the Lord will return in the clouds, and we will all have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12). In speaking to the Athenians in Acts 17, Paul put it like this:

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained…” (Acts 17:30-31).

There is an appointed day! This day of reckoning will be outside the realm of opportunity to repent and get our lives in order. There will be no second chances or last second changes. When we stand before Jesus on that appointed day, it will be only to give an account of how we have lived. If we have lived a life of faith and obedience, having accomplished the will of God by obeying the gospel (Romans 1:16), and we continue to walk in the light (1 John 1:5-7), we will get an invitation into heaven. However, if we have spurned God’s gracious acts of love and rejected His Word and His Son, we will be ushered out of God’s presence and into a devil’s hell (Matthew 25:41).

Heaven or hell, these are the only choices that we have. We must choose between the gift of God, which is eternal life, and the wages of sin, which is a death that leads to eternal damnation. What will you answer be? One thing is sure—the clock is ticking, and time is running out (Romans 13:11-12).

Have you obeyed the gospel of Christ? Peter told the Jews in Jerusalem to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Baptism takes us out of the world and places us into a right relationship with God in Christ (Galatians 3:27). Have you been baptized? Someone says, “I have believed in Jesus!” Yes, but that is not enough. The devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). God’s word says you must call on the name of the Lord and have your sins washed away by the blood of Jesus, and it tells us that this happens when you obey the command to put on Christ in baptism (Acts 22:16). Do not waste your time arguing about it. Do not procrastinate. The appointed day of judgment is approaching.

Are you living a life committed to Christ? Obeying the gospel is just the beginning. You have entered the race, but now you must run as if you really want to obtain (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Being committed to Christ first involves a commitment to following in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). To be a true Christian is to be Christ-like. For example, Christ always did those things that pleased God (John 8:29). Following in the steps of Jesus along these lines involves the heart as much as it does outward actions. Jesus pleased His Father because He was determined to do His will (Matthew 26:39; John 4:34). This is an inseparable part of following Jesus and thus being committed to Christ. When we learn from Jesus to put God and His rule first in our lives (Matthew 6:33), our outward behavior will take care of itself. We will make mistakes and fall short from time to time because we are not perfect like our Savior. But armed with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), we will not live and wallow in sin. Instead, we will walk in the light and maintain fellowship with God. Does this describe your manner of life? If so, be determined to remain steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58). If you haven’t yet committed yourself to Christ, for what are you waiting? Remember, there is a day approaching in which Jesus will judge the world in righteousness. In 2 Corinthians 5:10 Paul reminds us that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Don’t procrastinate! It will only lead to trouble, both now and in eternity. I think this illustration makes the point.

A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. “Hey, Willis,” he called out, “forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I’ll help you get the wagon up.” “That’s mighty nice of you,” Willis answered, “But I don’t think Pa would like me to.” “Aw, come on, son!” the farmer insisted. “Well, okay,” the boy finally agreed. “But Pa won’t like it.” After a hearty dinner, Willis thanked his host. “I feel a lot better now, but I just know Pa is going to be real upset.” “Don’t be foolish!” exclaimed the neighbor. “By the way, where is he?” The boy said, “He is under the wagon.”