The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Tim 1:16-18 'The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto m that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well." "In that day" is the day when he shall be called to meet the Lord, i.e the day of judgment. There have been great days in the past: Creation, flood, Sinai when the law was given, birth of Christ, Pentecost etc. But "that day" will be the greatest of all. There will be no more time as all will be eternal.

The use of the term "that day" clearly suggests the day of judgment. Christ used it: Matt 7:22, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils: and in thy name done many wonderful works?" Matt 24:36, "13ut of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." The apostle Paul frequently used the term: 2 Thess 1:10, "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." 2 Tim 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." 2 Tim 2:12, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Paul was well persuaded that God could keep his soul until the judgment day when everyone would receive according to the deeds done in the body.

The day of judgment is also designated by Paul by the following terms: 1 Cor 3:13, "Every man's work shall be manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." Phil 2:16, "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain neither laboured in vain." 1 Thess 5:2, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." Rom 2:16, "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Rom 2:5, "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." Notice the sinner stores it away. Its forthcoming is withheld by the forbearance of God. It will break out in the day when God's righteous judgment shall be revealed. Eph 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

What is the purpose of this day that we have noticed? It will be day of reckoning. The elders must give an account of their oversight. Heb 13:17, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you." The elder or overseer must always carry on his work in view of the judgment seat of Christ, where he will give account of his service, his motives and methods. For this reason those who are over the flock are very interested and protective of those under him. Let us take heed. Preachers must give account of their preaching. James 3:1, "My brethren be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." Preachers shall be held accountable for what they preach as well as things that should be preached that they do not preach. A preacher is to preach all the truth. All Christians as stewards, must give an account. Matt 25:19, "After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them." On this occasion the talents had been given. Even if we just have one talent we had better use it well. I once knew a man who had very little ability to take public part in the services but he could bring more people to church during a revival than any person I ever knew. Some of those he brought were baptized. This was a very important work. There are some things that every one can do. As Christians what must we give an account of in that day? We must give account of our deeds. 2 Cor 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ: that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." We must give an account of our words. Matt 12:36, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account there of in the day of judgment." We shall give account of our thoughts. Eccl 12:14, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil".

We will give an account of the use or misuse of our opportunities. Col 4:5, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without redeeming the time." We are to make the most our time. How much time do we really spend working for the Lord. No doubt many are too wrapped up in this life's activities to really dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord. Could it be possible that over the years we have considered ourselves the loyal church because we use one cup and have no Sunday school and do not use instruments of music and maybe have become a little self-righteous? I have heard several sermons over the years on identifying the true Church. It was taught what church it should be by the entrance into the church, the worship of the church. I do not offhand remember one sermon where it was pointed out about scriptural church government in identifying us as the true Church. It seems most of our people are content the way it is most places without elders or deacons. Is the Lord pleased with this?

There is one thing that we are going to need in that day; that is God's mercy. The mercy of God is needed from birth to eternity. It is pointed out in Acts 17:28 that we have our being through him. Our salvation now and our eternal salvation depends on his mercy. Christian friends, we better quit relying on just the fact that we worship the right way and start doing the many other things that God requires of us. The self-satisfied who feel sufficient without his mercy cannot expect any mercy. Too many just attend one service a week, never attend a gospel meeting, never cooperate in church work, contribute very little to the well being of the church or its members. Friends, worshiping correctly is a must, but there are things that must be done just as well. Let us awake from sleep! In Rev 3:17, the Laodiceans said, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." Christ said "knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable and poor, blind, and naked." A great difference in their estimate and Christ's estimate. Friends, maybe we all better re-evaluate what our true standing with the Lord is.-10520 N. McKinley, Okla. City, Ok. 73114