LATE FOR GOD

Scriptures from King James Bible

1 Corinthians 2:15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,...

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:...

1 Samuel 2:30
...for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Greetings -

Last night's "GUEST PIECE FROM MARIJO" post prompted me to re-post this topic. Marijo expressed how her pastor and his wife spoke yesterday about people arriving late for church service.  Sharon commented with an important message. 

I will re-post Sharon's comment here and also re-post the comments that were received when this topic was originally posted.  The original post of this topic was on Tuesday October 5, 2010.

Here it is:

Greetings -

I am deeply grateful for those in church leadership who respect the Lord overall but this post is about promptness. Some weeks ago on a televised Christian service, I heard a pastor stress that he begins on time. In essence, he said that he did NOT care who was not there - he starts on time. Again, in essence, he stated that if service time is 11:00, then he starts at 11:00. I was quite pleased to hear that he is firm about timeliness in honor to GOD. I so appreciate people who respect that GOD is a GOD of order, and timeliness is order.

Of course, there can be, on rare occasions, extenuating circumstances but typically, church programs/services should start on time. To do otherwise, is an insult and an affront to GOD. He is holy and to be regularly late is disrespectful to His holiness.

I have attended more than a few church programs/services where timeliness is not exercised. This past Sunday, I visited a church for Sunday school for the first time. On their website, it stated that Sunday school begins at 8:30. I got there at about 8:15. The outside church sign stated that Sunday school service begins at 9:30. I went inside and inquired, and was informed that Sunday school starts at 8:30. I politely mentioned that 9:30 was on the outside church sign.

Well, I settled in and engaged in a bit of small talk pending start of Sunday school. Hmmm - 8:30 came and went...8:40 came and went...I inquired and was informed that Sunday school starts when the teacher gets there - also I was informed that he is always late. It was about 8:45 before the teacher began to teach. His topic was on the whole armor of GOD. Correct me if I am wrong, but I sat there thinking, "How can you have on the whole armor of GOD if Sunday school starts late?" I found it challenging to engage because if someone does not have enough respect for GOD to begin on time,... Further I found myself wondering about the teacher, "Is he on time for work?" If we can be on time for work and be late for GOD for services..., what does that demonstrate - that being on time for man is more important than being on time for GOD? How would we feel if GOD had a practice of being late? Of course, He is never late but what if He were regularly late - wouldn't we feel disrespected and insulted?

Also, when services/programs do not begin on time, it is also disrespect demonstrated toward those who are in attendance.

My entire work history, I regularly arrived to duty at least a half hour before required. It is part of a strong work ethic to be prompt. Relative to church and other places, there have been times that the Lord has led me to arrive after the start times - but overall, promptness is order.

Please express your views on this.

Thank you for your indulgence.