DCLM Higher Everyday 19 November 2023 — Price Of Procrastination
Topic: Price Of Procrastination
Text: Acts 24:22-27
23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Key Verse: “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25).
Message
It was John Mason who said, “Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.” His Excellency, Governor Felix, had the singular opportunity to hear the gospel from the greatest evangelist of all time, Apostle Paul. And the apostle so delved into the nitty-gritty of the gospel that Felix came under conviction. He felt the sharp, cutting edge of the gospel. All he needed to do was to go ahead and make his profession of faith. If he had confessed his sins, confessed with his mouth the Lord Jesus, and believed in his heart that God raised him from the dead, he would have been saved.
Felix would have experienced the miracle of conversion, just like the Philippian jailer. But alas! He decided to wait for a convenient time, putting off his salvation. Thus, he became a loser by his complacency. He lost that sharp prick of conscience and was headed for eventual condemnation. What a great price to pay! Learn a lesson from Felix. Don’t put off your salvation. Come just as you are, no longer delay; delay is dangerous.
Quote: Delay is dangerous
Challenge: Seek the Lord while he may be found. is for all.
Prayer for today: O Lamb of God, I come to you in surrender.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
