Why Do You Wait?

There is a song the we sing called Why Do You Wait? , written by George Root in 1878.  It’s a purely simple and beautiful song that surely speaks to anyone considering Jesus.

The first stanza asks the listener what they’re waiting for.  It basically says, "Wake up silly, your Savior– whether you like it or not–is waiting to give you something!  That something is a place in His throng, His great multitude of people.  So then, the chorus asks, "Why not?"  Certainly His gift isn’t what’s holding you back.

Next, what–if anything–do you hope to gain by waiting.  There isn’t anything better out there, certainly not in this world.  Only Jesus will save you; it’s His way or no way!  So again the question is, "Why not?"  There’s nothing you’ll gain by waiting.

The hymn continues by appealing to what the listener is feeling.  Again, if someone is thinking of Jesus, this should really speak to him or her.  The hymn asks if the listener feels the Spirit calling, because He is.  Throw off your burden of sin through Jesus and the Spirit will embrace you!  "Why not accept His salvation?"

The last appeal is an effort to remind the listener that all good things come to an end.  "The harvest is passing away" and there is "danger and death in delay."  Once more, the chorus asks, "Why not?"

The rhetorical questions being asked have very real answers.  There is no valid reason for waiting.  Any excuse the listener might have, the writer has already refuted.  Are you contemplating Jesus for the first time seriously?  Are you leaning toward Him for the second, third, or nth time?  If you are, that’s okay; but realize that while He has every reason to wait, you have none.

- Jason Budd

The Governing Authorities

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves (Romans 13:1-2).

First, we should notice that Paul is very specific about who is to be in subjection to the authorities: everyone!  Often there are those who feel that they are above the law.  Note that this passage does not give exemption to those whose ego can’t fit under the law.  Neither does it allow those who have spent their lives obeying it an exception here and there due to good behavior.

A reason is given for this; it’s that "there is no authority except from God."  The implication is that God has granted and allows the government’s authority to exist.  To some, this means very little because they do not subject themselves to God’s authority.  However, to the Christian whose will is to the do the will of God, this message should be very clear – obey the authorities!

Finally, Paul speaks to the consequences of disobeying the law.  In this life, there are many who commit crimes and get away with it in the sense that the governing authorities of this world don’t catch them.  However, no one will escape the final judgment.  Those who have crafted a life of lawlessness, "will receive condemnation upon themselves."  Are you in subjection?

- Jason Budd