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Last March, as I stood atop the Great Wall of China, I watched the thousands of people move round about me and thought more about the Great White Throne Judgment, than I did about the Great Wall. I could not help but think about how there will be no excuses accepted at the Great White Throne Judgment of God. I thought, “How much time is left to reach these godless, Communist people?” The Apostle Paul states clearly in Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” God will reveal Himself to man, regardless of where he is, but even the Ethiopian eunuch said he needed guidance to understand the Gospel. In Acts 8:31 we read, “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”

We must ask ourselves the question, “Are we running out of time to reach this lost world?” Apostle Paul also makes it crystal clear that our time is short. In 1 Corinthians 7:29, he states, “But this I say, brethren, the time is short…” With no excuses accepted, and our time being short, there are some questions we should be asking ourselves: Are we totally committed to seeing the lost receive the Gospel? Since there is so little time, are we wasting valuable time while people perish in their sins? Are we wasting time while problems arise? God help us to be problem-solvers for our missionaries on deputation and on the mission fields! We should ask ourselves the question — Why is the time short?

I believe time is short concerning the Second Coming. Is there any doubt that we are living in the last days? The Apostle James stated that the coming of the Lord is close. In James 5:8, “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” Jesus stated that He would be coming quickly. Note Revelation 3:11, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” and also in Revelation 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Jesus instructed us to work, for the night is coming when man’s work is done.

Certainly, time is short concerning sin. Sin is on the rampage more than ever. More filth, pornography, and trash is at our disposal than in previous years. All one has to do is “point and click”, and instantaneously, he is surrounded by wicked sin. The book of James warns us in James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

I feel time is short concerning our stewardship. May the Lord find us faithful stewards of our time, tithe, and talents! We must simply use what we have and sacrifice for the world to know Christ! We are instructed to, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” — Ecclesiastes 11:1. Surely time is short concerning a surrendered heart! Where is your treasure today? Many Christians are more concerned about the nasty now-and-now, than they are the sweet by-and-by. It is well known that if you find a man’s treasure, you will also find his heart. Many Christians are more excited about fishing trips, hunting trips, bass boats, new cars and trucks, larger homes, better clothes, etc., than they are about never dying souls. James 5:2 & 3, states, “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.” This great waste of our stewardship and resources all takes place because of an unsurrendered heart. I believe we have more of our young people going into business than into the ministry simply because their hearts are covetous.

Lastly, time is short concerning the salvation of men. Obviously, we have no control of tomorrow. Yesterday is gone! All we have for sure is today. We are commanded in Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” May the Lord give us souls this day. Sometimes I feel like the little boy who heard his grandfather’s clock strike thirteen times. He said, “Oh, Grandfather, it is later than it has ever been before.” Our time is short, and it seems to be later than ever. May the Lord help all of us to stay soul-conscious and to use our time and resources wisely so that we may see people saved around the world and across the street, while there is time.

Dr. Rick Savage
Bethel Baptist Church, Jackson TN.