"Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind; Yahweh raises up those who are bowed low" (Ps.146:8, NASB).

Carnal believers - those who live by the flesh but are sure they live by the Ruach (Spirit) - believe that making teshuvah (repentance) can be postponed, provided it is eventually made. However, you need to understand that whilst delayed obedience is better than no obedience at all, it still isn't the godly kind. In fact, instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is because delayed disobedience is still disobedience. And the longer the delay, the greater the disobedience.

We all to glibly declare ourselves to be the children of Abraham, and the inheritor of his blessings, because we have emunah (faith) in the Messiah:

"So then those who are of [saving] emunah (faith) are blessed with believing Abraham" (Gal.3:9, NKJV).

But you will recall from yesterday's sabbath sermon that passive assent is not biblical, saving emunah (faith, trusting), because proper emunah always leads to works of righteousness that are Torah-compliant. However, few bother to seriously examine the character of Abraham to determine what kind of emunah (faith) he had. For his obedience was always instant:

"On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as Elohim (God) told him" (Gen.17:23, NIV).

We often compromise the biblical doctrine of salvation because of rebellious family members we love, lowering the standard to include them in the highest rewards because that's what we want for them even though they are non-compliant. Mothers are often guilty of this. I knew one who insisted here family members were 'Christians' even though they were openly heathen simply because she thought they were 'nice' or 'kind' and that's what Christians are supposed to be. We do our families no service in maintaining such a lie even if believing them makes us feel better. We are deceiving ourselves and ruining their opportunities.

There is only one way we can obey as the children of Abraham by emunah and that is "that very same day, as Elohim (God)...said" (Gen.17:23, NKJV). The Besorah (Gospel) of salvation is the DO IT NOW Besorah (Gospel):

"Now (today) is the day of salvation" (2 Cor.6:2, NKJV).

If we do delay - which is better than not doing it immedoately to be sure - then our obedience is really a sign that we lack a proper character when it comes to being dutiful. Our obedience - and therefore our character and the nature of our salvation - is therefore crippled, disfigured and half-hearted. Such may qualify us for heaven but it will not qualify us for the greatest place or rewards.

A postponed duty never did bring a full blessing as Yahweh intended to give those who are immediately obedient, and which we might have received if we had obeyed at the earliest possible moment. Procrastination is the thief of the full nature of Messiah that earnest believers seek for their character.

Martin Luther once very wisely said that "a true believer will crucify the question, 'Why?' He will obey without questioning"! Are you waiting for a sign and wonder - some miracles, revelation, vision, theophany, or something supernatural - before you will obey a simply stated biblical emet (truth) or a revelation you have long since received and know to be true? You will not receive it. But you will, if you ask sincerely with a view to being instantly obedient without questioning, if you ask for the original revelation to be brought back to your remembrance. He will re-open your blinded eyes and raise you when you are bowed down. But, please, do not procrastinate when you receive it. Make teshuvah (repent) and act without delay!