By Daniel Haynes
Each one of us procrastinates from time to time. Procrastination is defined as “to put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness” (American Heritage College Dictionary). It is important that we understand that some procrastination is inconsequential. For instance, it was not until the end of January when I finally got around to throwing away our Christmas tree. Procrastination? Yes. Bearing a great consequence? No. This typifies a host of chores in our every-day lives. Granted our laziness in these areas can contribute to friction and many inconveniences, however, in the end we must realize that they are not of chief importance. On the other hand, there are areas of procrastination that are injurious to the soul. Let us consider a few areas…
Why is it that people procrastinate when it comes to the most important thing in the world? Maybe we treat salvation from sin like so many other things, “I will get to it tomorrow.” I heard a story of a man, who promised that tomorrow he would obey the gospel. The sad reality for this gentleman was tomorrow never came. He died that night. What a tragedy!
This is why we must be willing to hear the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov. 27:1). He also says, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (Jas. 4:13-14). And again, he says, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Friends, the foolish man believes he has many years to come (cf. Luke 12:16-21), whereas, the wise man understands that there is but a step between him and death (cf. 1 Sam. 20:3).
Centuries ago, a wise woman said, “We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again” (2 Sam. 14:14). These words of wisdom compliment a New Testament passage, which says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). The Holy Spirit teaches that this life is short; that death is certain; and that judgment is sure to come. This explains why it is imperative that we delay no longer in receiving salvation from sin. To put it bluntly, “Quit procrastinating!” Heed the Spirit’s instruction, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).
As children, I suspect that all of us have heard our parents say, “You know better than that.” Or what about the times when we had to tell ourselves this? If only we could turn back the time.
I suppose that every congregation of the Lord’s people has someone, who needs to return to the truth. Peter, in describing these unsteady souls, compares their condition to a dog that returns to its own vomit or a sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire (2 Pet. 2:20-22). These precious souls had already removed the filthiness of sin through their obedience to the truth (1 Pet. 1:22-23), but in a time of testing, they relapsed to defilements of the flesh.
Additionally, Demas’ choice serves as a warning. Paul, in writing to the Colossians said, “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas” (Col. 4:14). Although later, Paul would unhappily write, “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me” (2 Tim. 4:10). Mindful of these circumstances, we sorrowfully reply, “He knows better than that.” We exclaim, “What happened? Why did he pursue this course?” Yet, when we look within, we know exactly why, like too many others, he was deceived.
The inspired penman continues this thought by admonishing his readers, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:12-13). This passage seems to depict a progression. Notice that deception produces a hard-heart; a hard-heart produces an evil, unbelieving heart; and an evil, unbelieving heart produces apostasy. This subtle process eventuates in countless souls departing from the living God.
The good news, still, is that those who have swerved from the truth, through repentance and prayer, can be restored to fellowship with God and his people (cf. Luke 15:11-32; Acts 8:14-24). Certainly, the prospect of a new beginning gladdens the sin-sick soul and encourages restoration.
Dear reader, here is where it becomes personal. Are you procrastinating in returning to the truth? Do you need to repent of sin? Do you need God’s forgiveness? Do you need to return home? If so, then why do you wait dear brother or sister? Come home today!
Procrastination not only hinders people from obeying and returning to the truth, but it also inhibits the faithful from visiting the faithless. In neglecting to visit unfaithful brethren, we cultivate ignorance, laziness and carelessness. May the Lord forbid!
The apostle Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). The apostle also says, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14). Again, Scripture says, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:19-20).
Beloved, in this endeavor, we should be imitators of God. Consider that it is he, who rescues the perishing; it is he, who cares for the dying. For the Lord says himself, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And then, through the apostle Peter, he says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Therefore, spiritual men and women pray and work toward bringing about the restoration of their brothers and sisters; rescuing the perishing; and upholding the weak. In other words, the Christian’s ministry is reconciliation (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9-21)!
Procrastination is such an insidious thing. It gains; it builds; it grows stronger and stronger; and eventually it paralyzes. Therefore, let us with all diligence fight the good fight of faith. As it says in the Psalms, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear” (Psa. 118:6), and again, “The Lord is on my side as my helper” (Psa. 118:7). There are so many other areas we could cover in this study. Nonetheless, I am confident that these areas will suffice in challenging both your spirit and body to eliminate the insidiousness of spiritual procrastination. May God be your helper and bless you to this end!