When Waiting Equals Rebellion

By Jackie Gable

I read a story of a man who had been convicted of murder and was sentenced to the electric chair. The day of his execution, the warden came by the prisoner’s cell and said, “You can have anything you want for your last meal.” The prisoner replied, “I want asparagus.” The warden says, “Asparagus won’t be in season for three more months.” The prisoner replied, “I’ll wait.”

Christian young people often have this same “I’ll wait” attitude. The problem is that waiting sometimes is the worst thing we can do!

What is the will of God for my life? Have you ever asked that question? So many teens are plagued with figuring out God’s will while being paranoid about missing it. Yet one of the biggest mistakes young people can make is waiting for God’s will. That is to say waiting for God to reveal His will while He is waiting for us to obey what He has already revealed to be as His will!

Here are a few areas where God does not want us to wait:

Salvation – If you’re not saved or even unsure and you know God’s command and desire for everyone to repent and believe, waiting is rebellion.

Baptism – If you are certain of your salvation and know that baptism is the next step of obedience, waiting is rebellion.

Witnessing – If the Holy Spirit tells you to witness to that lost neighbor or friend, waiting is rebellion.

Confession of Sin – If God’s Word or the Holy Spirit has revealed a sin that needs confession, waiting is rebellion.

Worldly Separation – If God has shown you a bit of worldliness you need to forsake, waiting is rebellion.

Church Service – If you know you ought to be serving in church ministries but are still sitting on the sidelines, waiting is rebellion.

Don’t play into the mind game that you must wait to know God’s will for your life. Yes, there are many things you must wait patiently for God’s perfect will and timing to be revealed – i.e. marriage, schooling, career, etc. But there are many things God has already deemed as His will for every believer and waiting is a form of rebellion.

Still waiting? Don’t be discouraged. Here are some promises God has given to those who don’t wait and have chosen to obey Him by faith:

– The Blessings of Salvation:

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

Titus 3:7 “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

– The Benefits of Baptism:

Colossians 2:12 “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

1 Peter 3:21 “…even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)…”

– The Joys of Witnessing:

Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Psalms 126:6 “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

– The Freedoms of Confessed Sin:

1 John 1:7, 9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 2:1b “…if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

– The Peace of Worldly Separation:

Luke 6:22, 23 “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

– The Fulfillment of Service:

Colossians 3:24 “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name…”

1 Corinthians 3:8 “…every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”

1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are labourers together with God:…”

You can turn an act of rebellion around by acting on the commands of God and experience His wonderful promises. Sometimes it’s waiting that hinders our walk with God and causes us to lack the Spiritual fruit we desire. Remember, sometimes good things don’t come to those who wait.

Subscribe

Sign up to receive the latest articles delivered to your inbox as soon as they are posted.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.