So? Did you get your taxes done weeks ago? Or did you procrastinate? Did you get a refund? Or were you waiting until the last second because you owed?
April 15this known as Tax Day. Well, sort of. This year, Tax Day was April 17th…or 18th, or just ask for an extension! Has the IRS gone soft? Well, not really.
You see, the IRS expected 17 million taxpayers to file their taxes yesterday, along with 14 million who were filing for an extension. But due to an online payment issue, millions of taxpayers were unable to pay. So the IRS gave 1 extra day to file.
Of course, as nice as it was of the IRS to give an extra day, they still mean business. And eventually, we have to pay. And if you wait too long, there could be serious consequences.
The idea of “giving an extra day, but still meaning business” reminded me of something Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3: “mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Peter responded that God didn’t forget, but He has been saving a day for judgment.
He continues: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Did you catch that? Patient. God has given, and continues to give, “1 more day” extensions to humanity. But a day is coming when the “heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”
A spiritual tax bill is coming because of our sins. And as Romans 6:23 states, there is a steep penalty if we are outside of grace on that day. We can’t earn forgiveness. Thanks be to Jesus,though, the payment has been made!
Enter into His grace, remain in Him, and receive a tax forgiveness better than the IRS could ever give!