Be in Time

Ecclesiastes 3 states: “There is a time for everything.” That also applies to God’s call to us. The heavenly clock does not run according to the atomic clock, but according to God’s time. God’s Spirit does not call us and convict us all of our days. The book of Job states: “All these [things] worketh God twice, thrice, with man” (Job 33:29, JND).

Studying the New Testament, one is struck with the way in which people confronted with the gospel grasped hold of their salvation on the very same day. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) climbed into a tree to be able to see Jesus passing by. Jesus approached him, told him what was necessary for his salvation, and he was thoroughly converted. The message of salvation struck the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:23-34) after midnight. This Gentile was obedient to the command, “Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ” and found eternal life. Lydia (Acts 16:14,15) heard the saving word while assembling with other women by the river, and found eternal salvation in Jesus. The thief on the cross (Luke 23:40-43) called upon Jesus, and was accepted.

If one had asked all of these folk at breakfast whether they wanted to become converted on that day, they would have answered with a clear “NO.” But God called them in His hour, throwing them the saving lifeline. Note that all of them immediately grasped hold of it, and with it, eternal life. So too should you heed the call of God seriously as you read these words, and take hold of salvation today. Now could be your hour!

Others were unwilling to make the decision. The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23), after his decisive encounter with Jesus, walked away sorrowfully; his attachment to his wealth ruled out the option of following Christ. The Athenian philosophers shied away from a decision, preferring instead to hear Paul again at another time (Acts 17:32). King Agrippa stood at the threshold of conversion when he said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

The Bible nowhere tells us that these people made a decision for Christ at another time. That is why God gives us this advice: “Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). 

—From Time and Eternity by Werner Gitt, published by CLV and Loizeaux Brothers