For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
2 Corinthians 8:9-11
In 1857, George McClellan resigned from the US Army and became president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. When the Civil War began, he returned to military service and was given the rank of major general. After the Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, President Lincoln promoted McClellan and tasked him with creating an army that could both defend Washington and fight effectively against the Confederate forces. McClellan assembled the Army of the Potomac, which, with more than 150,000 troops, was the largest army ever deployed in America. Yet despite his numerical advantages, McClellan repeatedly hesitated to take the battle to the enemy. This led to Abraham Lincoln’s famous complaint, “If General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would like to borrow it for a time.” Even when McClellan finally gained an advantage, he failed to follow through decisively. Lincoln removed him from command in November 1862.
It is good and right to plan and prepare. Spiritually, we should thoughtfully consider what God has said in His Word and be willing to respond to His leading. But there comes a point when knowing what is right and intending to do it must become obedience. Perhaps God has convicted us about a habit that needs to change, a person we need to forgive, a witness we need to give, a ministry we need to undertake, or a commitment we have already made to Him. It is possible to agree with God, sincerely intend to obey Him, and still keep postponing the obedience itself.
One of the most dangerous temptations we face is delay. We tell ourselves that we will act when circumstances are easier, when we have more time, or when we feel more prepared. But obedience postponed is still obedience withheld. When God has made His will clear, we should not be content merely to intend to do what is right. By His grace, we should “perform the doing of it.”
