STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

Monday, January 13, 2014

                Romans 1 (GW) [Apostle Paul exhorting] … God's anger is revealed from heaven against every ungodly and immoral thing people do as they try to suppress the truth by their immoral living. What can be known about God is clear to them because he has made it clear to them. … And because they thought it was worthless to acknowledge God, God allowed their own immoral minds to control them.

                 2Corinthians (GW) 6:1-2 [Apostle Paul explaining]  Since we are God's coworkers, we urge you not to let God's kindness be wasted on you. 2  God says, "At the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you." Listen, now is God's acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!”

  I was fortunate in growing up hearing wise axioms. One is the title of today’s DT, “Strike while the iron is hot.” . . . which, unless you understand basic blacksmithing (A requirement in my High School education.), makes no sense.

  Metal is best reshaped on an anvil when it is red hot. Stand around dilly dallying pondering and talking about how you’re going to strike the piece to reshape it and it gets to cool to work at. Repeat the procedure again and again and you get no useful product.

  So it is with living and dying: Dalliance makes for missed opportunities.

  To no avail, Paul explained this to King Agrippa and all within hearing that day: “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (KJV Acts 26: 22-28)

  Indeed Paul tells us elsewhere in his writing that God is patient in wanting everyone to be saved from the penalty of sin in both life and death. (Jn.12:32; 1Pet.3:9) But Paul also explains in Romans chapter one that there is point in time when God gives people up to a reprobate mind. (Rom.1:16-32)

  Let us pray together that the unredeemed we know will not dawdle during their day of opportunity.  EBB4