The Signs of the Times, vol. 27

October 2, 1901

“That Convenient Season” The Signs of the Times, 27, 39.

E. J. Waggoner

When Paul was before Felix, reasoning of “righteousness, temperance and judgment to come,” strong conviction seized the Roman governor, so that he trembled; but he was not willing to yield to it, so he said to the apostle, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24:25. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.1

From what we know of the character Felix, it is quite likely that he had no intention of every accepting Christ, and that his talk about “a convenient season” was only an excuse to Paul, and a means of throwing off conviction. But it is a fact that there are very many who say the same thing, who really think that at some time or other they will serve the Lord, and who by the plea of a convenient season delude themselves into believing that they are at present doing as well as can be expected of them. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.2

One man says, “If I could get away from these associates, I would reform.” The youth thinks, “When I get a little older, temptations will not be so strong, and then I can serve the Lord;” while the old man thinks, “If I were younger, it would be easy to be a Christian, but now I am too old to change.” Another says, “If my circumstances were different, I would keep the Sabbath.” “As soon as I get out of debt,” or, “As soon as I can get out of this business, I will begin keeping all the commandments.” And thus people deceive themselves, and continue in sin. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.3

They deceive themselves often into thinking that they are as good as they need be. For if it were true that they absolutely can not at present serve the Lord, then of course it can not be required of them. But the very statement of the case shows its fallacy: for there is no time when one ought not to serve the Lord. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” Luke 10:27. This leaves no moment of one’s existence when he is free not to serve the Lord; for if one does not serve God all the time, he is not serving Him with all his strength. It certainly is not serving God with all our strength, when we devote the most and best of it to self and the devil before we begin to obey the Lord. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.4

What Sin Is

Sin is sin no matter or why it is committed. “Sin if the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. To do anything contrary to God’s will, therefore, is sin. “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. Now when a person says that he intends to serve the Lord, or to begin to do it; and therefore by not doing it he convicts himself of sin. And yet by pleading inconvenience and unfavorable circumstances, he makes himself believe that his sin is not really sin. He assumes great virtue to himself by thinking of what he would do if he were in the proper circumstances. Because he thinks he would if he could be takes to himself the credit of the deed, and thus often goes along contentedly, and never finds the “convenient season” for which he is looking. So well satisfied does he become that he is doing the best he can, that no time ever seems to him convenient for changing his course. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.5

Suppose now that the “convenient season” has come, or that the change in circumstances or associates has been effected, and that the person has changed his manner of life as he proposed to do; is he really any better than he was before? What think you?-Certainly not; it is not he that has changed; it is only the circumstances. The conditions have changed, he remains the same as before. Since he began to serve the Lord (as he thinks) only when the conditions became favorable, it is evident that when the conditions become unfavorable again, he will leave off. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.6

Does the man really accept Christ, when he professes to serve Him only at a more convenient season?-Not by any means. He really dishonors Christ, bearing false witness against Him. Christ is a perfect Saviour. “He is able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by Him.” All power in heaven and in earth is in His hands. He is the Head of all principality and power. He has power over all flesh. John 17:2. He has spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly, exhibiting them in triumph by His cross. Colossians 2:15. Even the bars and gates of death He has burst asunder, and “all the power of the enemy” was nothing, to Him. Now what does the man say who pleads that his circumstances or temptations are such that he can not now serve the Lord?-Why he virtually charges Christ with lack of power to save him in his present condition. He limits the power of God. He does not accept Christ as a full and perfect Saviour, able to save one from the lowest depths, and to pluck a brand from the fire, or a soul from the jaws of the lion. But he who does not take Christ as a perfect and all-powerful Saviour, does not really accept Him at all; for Christ is nothing but perfection. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.7

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Jesus is “mighty to save.” He says, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 45:22. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain; I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” Isaiah 45:19. The Lord does not deceive anybody. He does not call all to Him to find present salvation, and then say to some, “I didn’t mean you; your case is too difficult; I shall have to wait till a more convenient season.” No He can save all, and He can save now. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.8

Then turn to Him now. Why not have rest? See; you do not have rest now; for you admit that the conditions are too hard for you. Well, suppose your more convenient season came, what then?-Why those supposedly more favorable circumstances would be all that you could endure, if not more, so that even if you kept on with your confession, you would never know enjoyment and peace in the service of God. It would be a hard service to you, which shows that it would not be real service; for His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. But if you accept Him now, when everything seems to be the hardest and most unfavorable, you will find immediate rest. Then when the more favorable circumstances come, if there be any such, you can have so much the more ease in His service. So in Christ you will always find green pastures and still waters, a table will be spread for you in the presence of your enemies, and you can eat without fear. Being delivered out of the hand of your enemies, and from the hand of all that hate you, you can serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life. Luke 1:74, 75. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.9

What is the assurance for this?-The One who is made unto us “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption,” is “the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30. He in whose life we have redemption, is the One in whom all things were created, and in whom all things hold together. Colossians 1:14-17. “Ah Lord God! behold, Thou has made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee.” Psalm 37:17. Then commit the keeping of your soul to Him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator, and do it now. E. J. WAGGONER. SITI October 2, 1901, page 630.10