Why Do You Wait?

Richard Thetford

There is a well known song that we sing entitled "Why Do You Wait?" The first line of that song says: "Why do you wait, dear sinner, O why do you tarry so long? Your Savior is waiting to give you a place in His sanctified throng." I have often wondered why it is that one will continue to wait to obey the will of Jesus. Every time that song is sung I know that there are those in attendance that need to obey the gospel call - yet continue to wait!

What Is It That Keeps One Waiting?

We should all have a heart like David that stated to the Lord: "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee" (Psalms 39:7). It would be so good if we would put our hope and trust in the Lord wouldn't it? But many have not put their hope in the Lord and continue to wait - but why? Is it that one is waiting for the saving power? We need to realize and understand that the saving power of Jesus comes through the blessed gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16). Is it because one is waiting for the converting power to come upon them suddenly? This will not happen because we can learn that the law of the Lord is perfect - it's this law that converts the soul (Psa 19:7). Therefore, we must learn about His converting power through the word itself.

People may be waiting to respond to the invitation of our Lord Jesus for many reasons. Some other reasons may be that they're waiting for some sanctifying power - but that is only found through the word also (John 17:17). We can also learn that the perfecting power of God comes to us only through study (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17). Could it be that one is waiting for God to give them faith? One may say "As soon as I can gain faith within then I'll start serving Christ". Yet one can in no way gain Bible faith except through the Bible. In Romans 10:17 it says "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

It is also deceptive for one to wait for a certain kind of feeling to suddenly come over them. Many have been led away into denominationalism because of "suggested feelings". One can only know the right thing to do by learning what God says is the right thing. Once one knows this then their heart will cause them to be "doers" of the word and not merely "hearers" (Jam 1:22).

Some may be waiting for the church to get better. If this is the case then one will never come to Jesus. Men will always make mistakes. The difference is that the children of God learn from their mistakes, get up and try again. The alien sinner has never even tried! And besides, I would hate to be left out of heaven because I was too concerned about what others were or weren't doing and not doing anything myself. Read Romans 14:10 where it says: "for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."

Let's Be Determined To Follow Christ Now!

It is dangerous, even suicidal to wait to follow Christ. We have just finished another year and now we have another year to look forward to. But what is it this time that will keep one from doing what is right? Many will wait for that "convenient season" to follow Christ. If you think about it, we are very fortunate to be able to get another chance at salvation. In James 4:14 we can learn how precious life really is. James says: "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." Life is too short to WAIT! As the pages of 1999 are opened, the question is still before us; "Why Do You Wait Dear Sinner, O Why Do You Tarry So Long?"