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DELAYING OBEDIENCE

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1861

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 17, No. 11.

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DELAYING OBEDIENCE.

To delay obedience to the truth is to continue in sin. Delay weakens the resolution—sin blunts the sensibilities of the person, and gradually sears the conscience. If men could see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, they would flee from it as from a poisonous serpent. They would not dally with, and caress it, and be so reluctant to leave it. The best time to obey the truth is when we are first convinced of it. But the enemy tells us not to be too hasty; that we shall appear more dignified, if we take time to consider. He knows that his chances of success are increased by every delay and every known sin. He tells us the time will come when the obstacles will be removed out of the way and it will be more easy to obey. At the same time he uses all his powers to increase the difficulties and obstruct the way. I have known people to wait for the Devil to open the way for them to obey the Lord; but they waited in vain. O, that men could see this subject in its true light! O, that they could see that, by the commandment, sin, that before seemed dead, becomes exceeding sinful.
The person that does not delay but takes a decided stand at once in obedience to the truth, has a decided advantage over one who delays. He is stronger on the start, and increases in strength more rapidly. While he that delays is so weakened that if he should finally obey, it is with feebleness, and a long time is required to attain to that strength with which he would have commenced, had he obeyed when first the truth was made plain to his mind. Such things have come under my observation. Where persons have delayed for months or years it would require as much or more time to attain the strength with which they might have started.
You that are delaying, know you what you are doing? Do you realize the awful nature of sin, and danger of delay? Do you realize that in every known sin you crucify the Lord afresh? Do you realize how fast you are losing strength to obey—that Satan is riving his chains upon you—that the more convenient season is farther and farther in the distance? Do you know that God holds you accountable for your influence—that souls that you might be instrumental in saving, are stumbling over you into perdition?
Are you waiting for a change in your circumstances that will enable you to obey? You wait in vain. Where is your trust in God? Do you fear that forsaking your sin and turning to obedience will ruin you? Have you no more confidence than that? O, blind unbelief! The person who thinks it better to delay than to obey does not believe God. But he that obeys God, and he only, hath set to his seal that God is true. Beware, beware of unbelief—the parent sin! Up! get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy it!
In contrast with the course of him that delays, mark the words of the sweet psalmist of Israel: "I entreated thy favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."
R. F. C.