Time is of the Essence
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jan 7, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 17, 2023
Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him that is sin. (James 4:13-17)
“Time is of the essence” is a term commonly used in contractual agreements. It means one party must perform its contractual obligations by a given time and day. If that party doesn’t do what was required in the written agreement, they will nullify the deal. Someone could even possibly take them to court for breach of contract!
Contracts use the phrase “time is of the essence” to compel one party to perform its obligations. Competent businesspeople wouldn’t forget to meet the requirements or be slack in accomplishing them. Rather, they would prioritize achieving the provisions of such a contract within the given time frame because too much is usually on the line!
Time is of the essence when it comes to prayer, but many Christians take prayer for granted. They put it off and make it a low priority on their daily “to do” lists. However, I believe God would use the phrase “time is of the essence” to describe how important prayer is for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ!
If Christians realized where we were on God’s time clock, they would prioritize prayer, but many respond to the Lord’s call to pray with a promise to do it tomorrow. A gospel song describes what many do when the Lord calls them to pray — Jesus said, “Here I stand, won’t you please let Me in?” And you said, “I will tomorrow.”
Practical Application
Don’t put prayer off until tomorrow! James wrote a stern warning to believers about doing God’s will today. Your prayer makes a difference! Don’t wait until tomorrow! Do it today!
