What are You Waiting For?

I spoke with a young man yesterday who works at a recreational area near where I live. We talked about the need for him to be saved from his sin (to be born again). He asked me what "being saved" meant so I explained it to him....

We are sinners:

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

(Romans 5:12)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

(Romans 3:23)

God is without sin and completely holy:

“....in him is no sin.”

(I John 3:5)

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

(Isaiah 6:3)

Because of this, we are the objects of God's wrath and judgment:

“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

(Ephesians 2:3)

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

(Matthew 12:36)

But because God loves us, he made a way for us to be reconciled to him:

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

(II Corinthians 5:21)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

(Ephesians 2:8)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

(Romans 10:9)

The young man understood that he was a sinner in need of the Saviour, so I asked him what he was waiting for.

He said that he wanted to get closer to God first. I explained that he could not get closer to God first, that only by being saved can we get close to God. He said that it was like deciding whom he would marry (that he had to get to know them first). I explained that God has already "proposed" to him and that he is waiting for an answer.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28)

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.”

(Luke 14:16-17)

God has done everything possible to save you: "all things are now ready." There are many reasons why people put off accepting his invitation:

• The rich young ruler wanted his riches more than God.

• Some allow another person to stand in their way.

• Some love the praise of men more than they want God.

• Some are distracted by the cares and pleasures of this world.

• Some say that they are too busy right now.

• Some allow themselves to be confused by the opinions of men.

• Some are not willing to give up a particular sin.

• Some only hear God's call with their ears but not with their heart.

• Some say that it is too late for them.

It is true that a person must have a heart-understanding of salvation and not be pressured into a false profession by the tactics of men. But there are an infinite number of reasons why people put off salvation.

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted,

and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

II Corinthians 6:2

God is still calling.

What are you waiting for?