There is no gainsaying about the fact that, late coming to Church is a highly rampant attitude in our generation, especially among the youths. The most unfortunate aspect of it is our nonchalance and gallant attitude of walking into the Church despite coming late. Very unfortunate! This habit of course, can be attributed to so many reasons, part of which would be highlighted in the subsequent paragraphs.
FEW OF THE REASONS FOR COMING LATE TO CHURCH AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
i. Pride: Proverb 11:2 says, when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Pride is a typical reason why anyone would be coming to Church at a wrong time, since we can't try it with our bosses in our various places of work, and even with earthly kings and politicians. But we regularly try it with the KING of kings, the KING that is above Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo, the KING who is more powerful than Emir of Kano, and President of any country worldwide. This is nothing but pride, and the consequence maybe disastrous as stipulated by the Scripture.
ii. Disobedience: Apart from the fact that the Bible says we should remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, I have never seen any Church where punctuality is not part of their rules and regulations. Why then, is it that this is the law that we break mostly? Disobedience! And we can see clearly what the Scripture says about the disobedients in Colossians 3:6 - "For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience".
To avoid His wrath therefore, we must all adjust our ways and understand that lateness to Church is a disobedience to God.
iii. Arrogance: This is synonymous to pride, and the Bible emphasizes more on it in Isaiah 2: 17-18, that every glorification belongs to God alone. So, no one must look at himself with so much importance and present a deaf ear to the directives of God and constituted Church authorities. God will humble such people.
iv. Nonchalance: One of the major reasons most of us come late to the House of God is lack of preparedness and nonchalant attitudes. Hebrews 2:1.
It's very strange seeing so many Christians just searching for suitable clothes and shoes to wear to Church on Sunday morning. Why not Saturday evening? Nonchalance! Is that how we prepare for our various offices! Absolutely no. We need to change our ways, God is not happy with anyone taking Him for granted.
v. Selfishness: The Bible says we should do nothing out of selfish interest but consider others even better than ourselves. Philippians 2:3.
But it's very unfortunate that many of us do not only place our interest on others, but also on Christ's. We get to our places of works and businesses on time, but on Sundays we relax and satisfy ourselves. No respect for God, the Creator of heaven and earth. We should understand that whoever look down on God, He will place no value on such person too. Let us all therefore, put on a changed garment of godly attitude and prioritize Him. in all our ways.
vi. Lack of Salvation: The Bible says in Matthew 6:33 that we should seek first the Kingdom of God, and every other thing will be added. But it's very unfortunate that most humans prefer to run after other things and place Jesus on the queue. Jesus suppose to be the number one in whatever we do, especially on Sundays which have been set aside for worshipping Him. Not seeking Him first is surely deadly!
ADMONITION
Generally, we must honour GOD by keeping to His appointments, since we dare not fail appointments with the earthly kings and politicians, let's give God His due respects so that He too can reckon with us in reciprocation. Deut 6:33.
In addition, I would like to refer to a common statement of one of my spiritual leaders, Evang Sunkanmi Ajewole, "when you fix a program for 7am, the angels don't use african time, they are already there at exactly 7am. Why then would you keep angels waiting and be waiting for mortals?"
The aforementioned is for the Pastors, Evangelists and other vessels handling the steering of programs in the Church, that even if it's only one person that is available at the scheduled times of Church programs, kindly kick start the process and honour the presence of God Almighty, rather than waiting for humans. Others will join you in the course of the Service.
CONCLUSION
Let us all have a change of heart and honour God mightily by keeping to His appointments, and not waiting to be dragged to do His will. Psalm 29:2.
May the Lord give us all the hearts of repentance so that we can fear God very much more than man. Amen.
Authored by,
Odunayo Ogunmodede
isaacodunayo35@gmail.coma, 07033504020
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