April 25, 2018
“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. And they all with one consent began to MAKE EXCUSE…” (Luke 14:16-18).
Here we have a good case of PROCRASTINATION. Latin – pro = “forward”; and crastinus = “tomorrow.” Procrastination literally means “forwarding the tasks that should be done today, until tomorrow.” This is what Luke 14:15-24 is all about. While the exact word “procrastination” is not found in the Bible, there are plenty of texts implying it and displaying it.
I think we’re all guilty of procrastination, especially when it comes to being a witness for Christ. How many “Christians” have I met that have put off what the Lord/Spirit wanted them to do! When some were up in age, they made excuses that they were too old to do God’s work. “I pray thee have me excused” (v. 18). Read the whole parable of the great feast in verses 15-24.
A side note: All the unbalanced “God is love!” brothers and sisters don’t understand God’s love. I am speaking of the “Emergent Church” brethren, the ones who can’t preach this parable above. But it IS Scripture! Yes, however, they don’t like verse 21 that speaks about God: “…then the master of the house, being ANGRY…“ The BIG picture here was to show Israel’s rejection of Jesus’ invitation to His banquet in the Kingdom of God. And what the “Emergents” don’t like is to admit that God GETS ANGRY!
I just wonder what the world would be like today if God’s Spirit–Israel would not PROCRASTINATE the way ancient Israel did?
We know that Israel’s refusal to “enter in” caused God to call the Gentiles to Himself: “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in…” I know this parable is not just about witnessing to the lost, but it’s about God’s people rejecting God/Christ; it’s about procrastination making the LORD/Lord angry. In our day, many have gladly accepted God’s invitation to the wedding feast … while the call to WORK in the vineyard is not regarded as important. Why not? If we don’t call the world to repent and be saved, who will do it?
Life is just too short to put off till tomorrow what we should be doing today.
– Gen. Jim, POW
P.S. James 4:7 tells us, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to us.” Our relationship depends on US drawing near to God. Too many are waiting for Him to draw near to them.
