A ROUND TUIT FOR YOU
Many people, including this writer, plan to do a number of things. He has had multiple dreams, and has successfully completed some of them. However, he has not done a good number of them. Dreams are OK, but dreams without actions are just that, dreams. Follow-up is important. Visionaries plan to get around to it one day. Well, you now have your ROUND TUIT in hand.
Someone has well said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” The word of God speaks to this. Herein are a few examples. The inspired laborious apostle Paul stood before Felix, “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 24:24, 25). Felix seems to be telling Paul that he would become a Christian when he got around to it. Sadly, we do not read of this happening. Perhaps “the wicked one…catcheth away that which was sown in his heart….” (Matthew 13:4, 19).
Agrippa is another case of one coming so close to becoming a Christian. The entire chapter of Acts 26 is devoted to Agrippa listening to Paul’s answer for himself before the king, Festus the governor, Bernice, and they that sat with them. (Verse 30). Agrippa gave Paul an opportunity to speak for himself, which he did. (Acts 26:1-27). Paul’s lesson was so powerful that it led the king to say, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Verse 28). However, as the song, Almost Persuaded, says, “’Almost’ cannot avail, ‘Almost’ is but to fail; Sad, sad that bitter wail—‘Almost’—but lost.” Perhaps Agrippa intended to become a Christian one day, when he got around to it. Unfortunately, we never read of Agrippa obeying God. He never got around to it.
Paul’s speech at Mar’s Hill in Athens, Greece included comments about “the resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 17:32). “Some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again on this matter.” (Verse 32). Did they? “Some clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” (Verse 34). One can but wonder how many others became children of God. Why not all? Did they plan to get around to it one day? There is no record of them doing so.
Studying what others have done or not done is good and interesting. However, we need to make personal applications, self-examinations. What do I know? What have I done? What do I need to do? What am I planning to do? Am I now working to be saved, or am I waiting until I get around to it? What if time runs out before I get around to becoming a member of the body of Christ? What if my procrastination causes me my soul’s salvation? Consider a few questions.
First, some have looked favorably at genuine New Testament Christianity, but have never obeyed the first principles of the gospel of Christ. Are you such an one? Do you plan to do so one day when you get around to it? Jesus did not hesitate to die for you. Do not delay returning His magnificent love. Obey Him now. (2 Corinthians 6:2). You likely have heard enough of the word of God to be a believer. (Romans 10:17). Your most surely believe that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). Believing this, let this be the time you repent of sin(s) (Acts 17:30, 31), confess your faith, as did the eunuch (Acts 8:37), and be buried in water baptism (Romans 6:1-5; Acts 8:36-39) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), to put on Christ (Romans 3:26, 27), and enter His body/church. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Colossians 1:18; Romans 16:16). Some had planned to obey God, but put it off, planning to get around to it. They died before that “convenient season” came. This is your time to obey God. Call the one who gave you this tract to help you in this most crucial time, or call the church of Christ nearest you.
Second, are you an erring child of God? Do you remember when you sang, “Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.” Know immediately again the happiness you felt in being saved (Acts 2:42-47), the “fellowship” you enjoyed with of those of “like precious faith.” (2 Peter 1:1). Call some good brother in Christ, and ask him to pray to God for and with you. Do you plan to return to your first love (Revelation 2:4) one day, when you get around to it? Recall the joy right now that you had the day you were born again (John 3:3-5), when you came up out of the waters of baptism (Acts 8:36-39; Romans 6:3-5) with your sins washed away in the blood of the Lamb. (Acts 22:16; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14; 12:11; Romans 5:8, 9; 1 Peter 1:19). Have the thrill again that you experienced the day you were saved (Acts 8:39), the fellowship you enjoyed. (Acts 2:42- 47). Do not delay! Whatever time it is, call some good brother and ask him to pray for and with you that your sins will be forgiven. (Acts 2:22-24; James 5:16; 1 John 1:7-10). Rejoice again that you are back where you need and desire to be. Excitedly and joyfully make your restoration known to the brethren at the next service.
Third, are you an active member of the church, but in need of becoming more involved? Are you planning on getting around to it? What more could and should you do? For what are you waiting? Get around to it today. Do you need to begin attending Sunday morning and Wednesday evening Bible classes? (2 Timothy 2:15; Titus 3:1; Matthew 5:16; James 4:16). Get to it. Have you forsaken the assembling? (Hebrews 10:23-25). “Repent, and do the first works.” Cf. Revelation 2:5. Do you plan to give more? (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Begin now. Are you planning “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,….” (James 1:27), the sick (Matthew 25:34-40), and more? Are you planning to get around to it? Time is running out. We need to be attempting to save the delinquent now, when they sin. (Acts 8:18-24). Do you need to pray more? (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18). Do you need to be more evangelistic (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19; 2 Timothy 2:2, 24), calling others, inviting others, passing out more religious materials, going from house to house, and more? Get to it now.
Do not be like those of Luke 18:14, “And they all with one consent began to make excuse….” Cf. verses 18-24. Do not wait any longer to serve the Lord. Redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:16). NOW! Delay no longer. Get involved, and set the bar for all others.
Read Romans 12 word and clause by clause, slowly, carefully, and prayerfully, and make a commitment to do these things, beginning today, without delay. Consider what kind of person you will become.
Do you need someone to help you become a Christian today? Do you need assistance in being restored to the Lord at this time? Do you need help and guidance in adding things to your life as a child of God? Cf. 2 Peter 1:5-12. The one who gave you this tract will be happy to help you in any way possible, including directing you to another if need be.
Procrastination is a thief. Putting off what one needs to do today often robs one of so much. Do not allow the devil to steal from you any longer. Do as the song, Come to Jesus, says, “Come to Jesus! Do not tarry, Enter in at mercy’s gate. Oh, delay not till the morrow, Lest thy coming be too late…Come to Jesus! Come, come today.” Carry your round TUIT with you daily as a reminder that you need to do things TODAY! NOW! Time is of the essence. It is urgent! Romans 13:11, 12 say, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” TODAY! NOW!
It Is Written 