By Dr. Thurman R. Hayes

I’ve noticed a tendency in our culture: As technology and affluence have increased our choices in life, decisions have become more stressful.

People find it harder to make decisions, because they have so many options to choose from in how they will spend money and time. Often they will shrug and say, “I’ll get back to you later.”

This is, of course, fine when it comes to many decisions. Most of them aren’t going to make that much difference.

But to delay when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus is a catastrophically bad decision. And here is what we must understand: When it comes to Jesus, if you decide not to decide, you have decided.

That brings us to Felix, a Roman governor mentioned in Acts 24. Felix had lived a pretty sorry life, to say the least.

He was a nakedly ambitious politician, who had brutally suppressed his foes and oppressed the poor. He was also immoral, having married the young and beautiful Drusilla, who happened to be married to someone else at the time.

Despite all the sins of his past, Felix and Drusilla were given an incredible opportunity. Felix was headquartered at the Roman outpost of Caesarea. If you visit Israel today, you will see the ruins of this city, which are spectacularly preserved.

One day, a prisoner was brought to Caesarea to stand before Gov. Felix. This prisoner was none other than Paul, the apostle.

Paul had his chance to speak, and what do you think he spoke about?

“Felix came with his wife Drusilla…and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.’” (Acts 24:24-25)

In other words, “I’ll get back to you.” But Felix never did. He had the opportunity in that moment to turn from his sins and accept the free gift of salvation that is found in Jesus. And he blew it.

There are a couple of reasons why telling Jesus, “I’ll get back to you later” is a really bad idea:

First, we don’t know that we will have another opportunity. The Bible says in Proverbs 27:1, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Our lives could end suddenly. Jesus could return suddenly. Are you ready for either event?

Second, even if we hear the gospel again, our hearts could be hard. We might not hear the message with the same conviction. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8).

Furthermore, when we suppress the truth and turn away from it, our hearts tend to grow harder. Jesus said, “For to the one who has, more will be given … but from the one who has not, even more will be taken away” (Matthew 13:12). In other words, when we welcome Jesus into our lives, he softens our hearts and keeps giving abundantly. The more we reject him, the harder and colder our hearts become.

It doesn’t have to be that way. “Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Dr. Thurman R. Hayes is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Suffolk. Follow him on Twitter at @ThurmanHayesJr.