Don’t say, “If only I had … “

“I wish I had … “

“If only … “

Regrets

Sentences that begin this way are depressing.

I don’t like dwelling on regrets because regrets are backward facing. Our linear existence always moves forward. There is value in learning from the past and wisdom drives us to do so. The choices I make today afford me the opportunity to choose differently, to choose better than I have previously chosen. But, grieving over past mistakes has no value.

There is a regret on the horizon for so many, a regret they do not realize is coming. And it behooves us who know of this pending regret to sound the warning for those who do not.

For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

– 2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV-1978

I can think of no greater potential regret than that of having never willingly bowed the knee to Jesus the king. Whether this is a neglect borne of procrastination, thinking, “Meh, I’ll get to that one day,” or neglect through current-day satisfaction with life, the need remains and the regret looms on the road ahead.

It is essential to understand that every one of us will bow the knee to King Jesus. That is not even debatable. The key is that many of us do so now, willingly, while all others will do so later, and under compulsion.

It is written:

“’As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘Every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will confess to God.’”

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

– 2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV-1978

You will bow the knee. I will bow the knee. Madonna will bow the knee. Bill Gates will bow the knee. Elon Musk will bow the knee. Joe Biden will bow the knee. Donald Trump will bow the knee.

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is both Lord and King.

Tomorrow

Scripture counsels us repeatedly against banking on tomorrow.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
– James 4:14, NIV-1978

So dangerous is this attitude that I have heard it described as sin … the sin of procrastination. Perhaps it is. Perhaps not. It is as best foolishness and uncertainty. God is patient with us, not wanting any to perish in unbelief,¹ but his patience does have limits. Remember what God said just prior to the Genesis flood – “My spirit will not contend with man forever.”² To that, we should give heed.

Emphasis

Scripture uses repetition and redundancy to give emphasis to a concept. For example, it is enough to say that God is holy, but it gives emphasis to the concept to say “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”

Today, if you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts …

– Psalm 95:7b-8a, NIV-1978

Now is the time of God’s favor. Today is the day of salvation. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart against it.

1. 2 Peter 3:9
2. Genesis 6:3
3. Hebrews 3:7-8; 3:15; 4:7