Obedience Must Be Immediate

When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. (Luke 19:5-6)

Throughout scripture, obedience is expected to occur immediately. Sometimes the reason for immediacy was plain and at other times, it was not. Abraham obeyed God’s command to take Isaac out to be sacrificed. Joshua obeyed God’s command to march around Jericho. Gideon tested God before being obedient (Judges 6). Jonah went to Ninevah as he was commanded to, but he didn’t go immediately and he knew that it was sin (Jonah 1:10). Zaccheus heard the Lord’s command and obeyed. He obeyed with haste and joy.

“I will wait until I have my bills paid to begin tithing.”
“After my kids are grown, then I will answer God’s calling into full time service.”
“When things are safer in that country, I will follow the call to missions.”
“When my belly is full, then I will feed the hungry.”
“When my vaults are overflowing, then I will help the poor.”
“When my life has been lived, then I will serve.”
“When I have formed a relationship with them, then I’ll invite them to church.”
“When I know more of the Word, then I will start to witness.”

As believers, our schedules don’t look much different than the world’s. Is it any wonder that the world sees no urgency in the call to repent? It is any wonder that the world delays in harkening unto the call to turn from wickedness? If God’s people can wait to be obedient, then what right do we have to tell the world to repent now? It is time for God’s people to be obedient. Now.