What other scriptures emphasize the importance of timely obedience to God's call? Arrive before winter (2 Timothy 4:21) • “Make every effort to come to me before winter.” The apostle presses Timothy to act while travel is still possible, illustrating the principle of prompt obedience. Old Testament snapshots of speedy obedience • Genesis 6:22 – “And Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.” • Genesis 12:4 – “So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him.” • Genesis 22:3 – “Early the next morning Abraham got up…and set out for the place God had told him about.” • Exodus 12:11 – “You are to eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.” Wisdom literature that urges haste • Psalm 119:60 – “I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.” • Proverbs 3:27-28 – “Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.” • Ecclesiastes 5:4 – “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it.” • Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Jesus calls for instant response • Matthew 4:20 – “At once they left their nets and followed Him.” • Matthew 4:22 – “Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.” • Luke 19:5-6 – “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down…So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully.” • John 9:4 – “While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming when no one can work.” Early-church models of prompt obedience • Acts 8:29-30 – “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to that chariot…’ So Philip ran up.” • Acts 16:10 – “After Paul had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia.” Epistles that insist on the urgency of today • 2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!” • Romans 13:11-12 – “The hour has already come for you to wake from your slumber.” • Hebrews 3:15 – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • Hebrews 4:7 – “God again designated a certain day as ‘Today.’” • James 4:17 – “Whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.” Sobering warnings when action is delayed • Luke 14:18 – “But they all alike began to make excuses.” • Matthew 25:10-12 – “The door was shut…‘I do not know you.’” Living the principle • God’s invitations often come with a closing window, so obedience belongs in the present tense. • Scripture consistently links blessing to immediate response and loss to hesitation. • Acting without delay honors God’s authority, protects us from hardened hearts, and positions us to serve effectively while opportunity remains. |
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