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Too Little Too Late Tim Smelser The above expression is often used within the context of trying to correct a problem or make amends for a wrong committed. The implication is that one has not done enough to atone for said wrong or one waited too late to make amends. I believe the following serves as a good illustration: “Dr. Frederick Fox, who devoted his life to the treatment of snake bites, met his death at Calcutta, India, as the result of experimenting with a snake of the deadly krait variety. In British India this species of snake caused thirty-five thousand deaths every year. To prove the value of his cure, Dr. Fox permitted one of these reptiles to inflict five punctures on his arm. With a confident smile he cut out four of the bites, but the fifth one escaped his notice. The signs of poisoning soon appeared. He quickly applied his remedy but it was too late. He died like thousands of others who had been bitten by the krait.” (Paul Tan, Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations) In our lives we must guard against sin that escapes our notice. David asked God to forgive him of his hidden, or secret, sins (Psalm 19:12). In the song Purer in Heart we sing, “Keep me from secret sin.” We do not mean that one might intentionally sin and then just forget about it. We simply acknowledge that there may be sins we do not realize we commit. Perhaps we are not looking closely enough, or perhaps we are concerned there are things we are doing that we have not yet learned are displeasing to God. Whatever the reason, the importance of thoroughly studying God’s word can be seen. Another area of our lives we should consider is the habit of NOT doing something we know to be right. Sometimes these are referred to as sins of omission. James 4:17 warns, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” We rationalize that technically we haven’t committed a specific wrong when we do nothing or take no action. The above passage in James tells us that there are times when doing nothing is just as wrong as active violation. The point is this: God specifies and identifies certain things we must avoid, eliminate and otherwise purge from our lives. At the same time He enumerates in His divine word those things we must incorporate and assimilate into our lives and character. James 1:22 commands us to take action, to be active doers. “But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” One does not have to be an elder, deacon or preacher to work for the Lord. Visiting the sick, encouraging the distressed, contacting visitors, conducting home Bible studies, showing hospitality are just some of the things that are needed within the local church. As an individual Christian you do not even have to wait until you are asked. God has shown us that these things are good and right and we should all be working to do them. If we put off making the necessary changes in our lives we are in great danger of having “too little, too late.” God will not accept excuses, half-hearted attempts or shallow promises to do better. We must eliminate the sin which separates us from God, and we must actively do those things that show we are His children. As James said, “This man shall be blessed in his doing” (1:25). |
