Let me give you a couple of definitions. Dalliance means flirting, toying, trifling, or wasting (opportunity). Responsibility means able to distinguish between right and wrong, to think and act rationally, to be accountable for one's behavior; readily assuming obligations or duties. Now, let me tell you a story.
A high school student is eligible for membership in the National Honor Society. Membership guidelines not only involve grades, but also character and responsbility. The student seemed to meet all of the critieria until she failed to turn in the required membership application by the deadline. She's not the first to fail to meet the deadline and she won't be the last. But that failure says something about responsibility or lack thereof. Enter the parents, one of whom is a member of the school board. More than likely, if it had been any other kid, this issue would not have erupted. BUT, the school board member brings the issue before the board in a not-so-subtle powerplay to wave the responsibilty portion of the application process and have his kid admitted. That led to a called meeting of the board which was attended by scores of parents, students, teachers, and administrators. Many of the students addressed the board and spoke of the need for deadlines and responsibility. For the majority of the board, the pleas of students and teachers fell on deaf ears. Even after being told that more than a dozen students were not admitted because they failed to meet the application deadline, the majority of the board chose to override the rules and waive the deadline.
Responsible adults know that deadlines really do matter. Miss the deadline on your utility payment for a couple of months and you end up in the dark. Miss the deadline on your rent or mortgage for a couple of months and you end up on the street. Miss the deadline on your car payment for a couple of months and you end up walking. Miss the deadline on your college application or financial aid application and you're out of luck. Miss the deadline on April 15 and your suffer the consequences.
Now, I know that some might say, "Well, with all those examples, a person might be able to plead for grace and get more time." True, but the point is that deadlines have purpose. The origin of the term deadline came from a prison setting. There was a certain line or boundary around prisons. Any inmate crossing that line could be shot without question. the tertiary definition of deadline is the latest time by which something must be done. We live in a world where deadlines can sometimes be negotiated. BUT, in the realm of the spirit, there are deadlines that are fast and final.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that ". . . it is appointed unto men once to die and after this comes judgment." Hebrew 9:27 The Bible also speaks of two judgments. The judgment of those without a personal relationship with Christ is referred to as The Great White Throne and is found in Revelation 20:11-15. Verse 15 says, "Anyone not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." The judgment for those who follow Christ is referred to by Peter in I Peter 4:17, "For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who disobey the gospel of God." This is sometimes referred to as the Bema Seat or Judgment Seat of Christ based on Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad."
So what we have here is the assurance of judgment for every human being. Those who follow Christ AND those who don't. That's why the deadline is so important. For all of us, as long we live we have opportunity. For my lost friends who might be reading this, it's important for you to know that Jesus loves you and died for you so that your sins might be forgiven and heaven can be your eternal destination. BUT, you must confess your need for Christ, seek His forgiveness, and submit your life to Him. Whether you've heard this before or not, as you read this, you have the opportunity to trust Christ as your Lord and Savior. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul reminded readers of the urgency of this commitment. "Look! Now is the acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation."
For my brothers and sisters in Christ who might be reading this, our faith will spare us from the Great White Throne judgment, but we still must stand before the Bema Seat of Christ. We will be judged based on how we have lived our lives as Christ-followers. That's why it's sooooo important for us to keep short "sin accounts." When we say, do, or think something that is wrong and we feel conviction, we should quickly confess and seek the forgiveness and cleansing that God offers. In I John 1:9, John wrote that "If we confess our sins, we can depend on Him to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Not only should we keep short "sin accounts," we should constantly and intentionally seek to know and obey God's will, because the BEMA Seat will be a review of how we spend our lives.
The common denominator for the lost and the Christ-follower is that our opportunities end with death. That's the big Deadline. There will be no excuses, no shifting of blame, no do-overs, and no one to waive the rules. Once our eyes close in death here, "chances" are done.
So please don't miss the deadline. God has done everything necessary to give you meaningful, eternal life and He extends it to you as a gift. BUT, you have a responsibility to accept His gift. Don't dally with the deadline. Our lives are like a wisp of smoke in eternity. Make things right today. Do your part. Surrender to Christ before it's too late.
"Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing I can do to change that. Please forgive me for all my sins. I accept your sacrifice on the cross as the only thing that can give me access to God. Please come into my life as my Savior and Lord. I submit to your will for my life and ask that You help me by Your Spirit to always seek Your will and purpose for my life."
