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A Startling Request
A Startling Request
Moses E. Lard was one of the great gospel preachers and biblical commentators of the late 1800’s. One of his close friends, a successful lawyer, became ill, and it was evident that he was going to die. He sent for brother Lard, and what he said to him was shocking, “Mr. Lard, I would not have you think that I have sent for you with any idea that you can do me any good in my dying hour, for such is not the case. I know that when I die, I will go to perdition, and there is no hope for me.”
“Why don't you think there is any hope?” asked Lard.
“Hope, Mr. Lard, don’t talk to me about hope. For twenty years I have understood the gospel and my duty under it as well as you do, and during all that time I have refused to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. I am lost, eternally lost. I sent for you, because I want you to preach my funeral, and I do not want any sentimentalism about it. I want you to tell my friends and neighbors that while you are preaching my funeral, I am in hell, and inform them that I requested you to tell them this. I want you to warn others against the life of disobedience and rejection of the salvation offered through Christ.”
What a sad and tragic story! It reminds us of the sentiments expressed by the rich man in Luke 16. He was suffering torment and asked if it might be possible for his brothers who were still living to be warned lest they come to the same horrible punishment.
How is it with you? Are you like brother Lard’s friend? Do you realize that you would be lost, should you die in your present condition? Do you know what you should do, but for some reason have not yet done it? If so, consider very soberly the fact that someday (perhaps sooner than you think) your life will end, and your opportunities to obey the Lord will be over.
If someone were to preach your funeral today and speak the truth in complete frankness, what would he have to say?
- Leonard White
Our Righteous Judge
Genesis chapter 18 gives the account of the wicked depravity of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. When God announced His intention to destroy them, Abraham became alarmed. This was the home of his nephew Lot. In verses 23-25 we read the question posed to God by Abraham: “Wilt Thou indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? . . . Far be it from Thee to do such a thing . . . Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
Consider the significance of that last phrase: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
I do not believe Abraham was doubting whether Jehovah would act justly, but rather he is expressing his confidence that “the Judge of all the earth” always does the right and equitable thing.
Do we have that same unwavering trust in our Creator and Judge? Do you ever wonder what will happen on the day of judgment with respect to this or that individual? Do you find yourself disturbed by uncertainty about such things? If so, consider the following two attributes of God as He is revealed to us in the scriptures:
Omniscience - God’s wisdom is infinite, limitless.
Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Hebrews 4:13 There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Justice - Because of His essential righteousness, God will always do the just and equitable thing. We are especially assured of this, as it pertains to His judgment of mankind.
Psalm 7:11 God is a righteous judge.
Romans 2:5 . . . the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.
Acts 17:31 He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness.
It is both sobering and comforting to realize, that when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we will be in the hands of an all wise and totally just judge.
The answer to Abraham’s question (and yours and mine) is: Yes, the Judge of all of the earth will most assuredly deal justly! Knowing that should allay our doubts or fears about the final judgment.
- Leonard White
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." - Wayne Gretzky
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A Christian is someone who has been: FORMED by God,
DEFORMED by sin, and
TRANSFORMED by Christ.
