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I. GOD HAS PROVIDED A SALVATION FOR MEN. This salvation

(1) is in Christ;

(2) is to be obtained by repentance and faith;

(3) embraces justification and sanctification;

(4) results in present joy, holy and useful life; and

(5) in these in far higher degree, and eternally, in heaven.

II. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SECURING THIS SALVATION IS LIMITED TO THE PRESENT.

1. The present age.

2. In an individual to his brief life on earth.

No unsaved one can afford to waste any time; no saved one will want to. Salvation is so great a matter that it should be sought instantly. To miss it is to miss everything. If we get nought but this, we should see to it that we get this. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

III. TENDENCIES TO PROCRASTINATE ARE OFTEN STRONG. Such pleas as the following have power with not a few:

(1) there is time enough;

(2) after temporal matters are arranged we can attend to spiritual;

(3) pleasure must be tasted, after that seriousness;

(4) it will be easier to repent and believe "tomorrow."

This reflects the human view, and the Satanic (for Satan is a great advocate of delay). The Divine is otherwise: "Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

IV. THE PERILS OF DELAY.

1. Life may be cut short speedily and suddenly.

2. Painful sickness prior to death may render attention to spiritual concerns practically impossible.

3. Desire for salvation may pass away.

4. The heart may be fatally hardened.

5. The Spirit may cease to strive. "God is not mocked."

V. THE SINFULNESS OF DELAY.

1. What an insult to God!

2. What a return for the love and sacrifice of Christ!

3. What a pernicious example!

4. What an injustice to ourselves!

VI. THE DIVINE URGENCY. When Paul is intensely earnest in this matter it is because God makes him so. It is the Divine mind declared by a servant. And so of all faithful ministers; their voices are echoes of the voice of God. Christ on earth cried, "Repent." "Wherefore even as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7, 8). The Divine message of salvation is pressed upon the instant attention of those to whom it is delivered. We cannot wonder at the urgency of God, for:

1. God knows the tendencies of our nature.

2. God knows what loss of salvation involves. - H.

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KJV: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

WEB: for he says, "At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.