THE DAY OF JUDGMENT
(Matthew 12:36,37)
G.A. Canfield
Jesus said that men shall give account of every idle word they speak. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt 12:37) The wise man said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl 12:13). He gave the reason and we quote: “For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Jesus said all that are in the grave shall hear his voice and come forth. They that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. We should all be very careful how we live in this world for we will see it again. I used to say a man had to do one thing for himself, but I have learned he has to do three things for himself: die for himself, go before the judgment seat of Christ, and spend eternity for himself in Heaven or Hell. (John 5:28,29) This is sure. Jesus says, “When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left.” (Matt 25:31-33) There will be a great disappointment on that day (Matt 7:22-23). There are many people doing lots of work in the name of religion, calling it a great work for the Lord, but it will not be accepted for it was not of faith (Rom 14:23). Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Rom 10:17). John says if we abide in the doctrine of Christ, we have both God and Christ (2 Jno. 9). If we keep His commandments we are abiding in His doctrine.
We look over the paper after the big meetings are held at different places and we see a good many baptisms and restorations. Some of our people have what I call “tin heater religion.” You can build a fire in a big tin heater and can hardly stay in the house for the heat. So it is, when a big preacher is there holding a big meeting.They attend good, but just as soon as the big preacher is gone, some of our people are gone until the next big meeting. That is what I call tin heater religion. Jesus said he that endureth until the end, the same shall be saved. So we see this tin heater religion will not do to depend on (Matt 24:13), Paul says, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” (Heb 3:6) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14). So, if we do not keep His commandments, we do not have the promise of entering into that city of God. |