The books were overdue-long, long overdue, but the library had waited sixteen months before deciding to turn the case over to the court system. Notice after notice had been sent, but there was still no response to the request for the return of the missing property. At last the librarian appealed to the court. A court date was set; a summons and, as a last resort, a warrant for the arrest of the delinquent borrower were issued.
Then-two police officers at the door, a trip to the county jail and a court appearance. What a shock it was to the young mother who had disregarded the repeated notices!
All that for a few overdue books? But the missing books were worth $127.86; in itself, that is a fairly small sum, but a part of the library’s loss for the year. One third of the library’s book budget of $180,000 went to replace lost or overdue materials.
“We don’t want to put people in jail,” the librarian said. “This is not something the library enjoys doing or even wants to do.
“There is a point at which we turn it over to the court system and the court date is set. If they do not appear in court or choose to ignore the court order that is when a warrant is issued for their arrest.”
“I can’t believe it happened!” the shocked woman said after her release and the payment of the fines. But it did happen, and to others also. As the news of her arrest spread, there was a sudden rush to the libraries to return overdue materials. Many a book found its way back to the proper shelf!
The library declared a general amnesty for a limited time when all returned materials would be accepted without question or penalty.
People sometimes have “overdue books” to account for in their lives. Do you possibly have some? Is there a vague but haunting little consciousness that all is not quite right-that there are things done and things left undone that you will have to account for someday? God has offered an amnesty period too, a chance to “have the slate wiped clean” and all the penalty of sin remitted. Isn’t that wonderful news?
God has proclaimed this time-right now, when we are living, today!-to be a day of grace. Like the librarian who did not “want to put people in jail,” God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)).
Some library systems offer a “grace period” when there will be no penalty for lateness. But-whether “amnesty” or “grace period” or even “the day of grace”-there is a definite time limit. We can’t tell when the day of grace will end, but we may be very sure that God knows and has set the time. We can also be sure that the end cannot be delayed much longer. “NOW is the accepted time....NOW is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
God is offering to all a time of grace, pure grace. It is not a reward for doing good things, not a goal we can work toward, but it is the free gift of God. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)).