During a recent summer a very wealthy and prominent woman gave a garden party at her beautiful and stately home. Detectives were employed to safeguard the house and the guests, many of the latter wearing valuable jewelry on their persons. These detectives are men of good appearance, who would pass without remark among the guests, and who are trained to know by sight all who are likely to be the guests on such an occasion.
During the course of the afternoon they observed a guest quite unknown to them with a suspicious manner. They approached him and asked politely to see his card of invitation. This not being forthcoming, they inquired if he knew the hostess. He assured them he knew her very well. "In that case," they replied, "she will surely know you. Come this way, and we will see.”
The unhappy man had to go, and soon found himself in the presence of the hostess. The detectives said, "Madam, do you know this gentleman?" She looked at him narrowly, and replied that she was not acquainted with him. Then rough hands were laid on the unhappy man, and he was unceremoniously turned out. He was found out and turned out. Yes, my friend, the day is fast coming when many an unconverted choir singer, many an unregenerate communicant, will be likewise found out and turned out. "He knoweth them that trust in Him," wrote the prophet Nahum long years ago, and his testimony is true today.
Do you know the Lord? Yes, replies many a mere professor. If that is true, then the Lord knows you, for, "He knoweth them that trust in Him." The time will come when you will be thus put to the test.
Soon the Master of the house will rise up and shut to the door. How sad must be the answer to those who will clamor for admittance: "I know you not whence ye are.”
Useless will be their reply, "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets." Again His crushing answer must come: "I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke 13:2727But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:27).
Just think for a moment. "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence." Unconverted, unhappy communicant, ponder over that when next you think of partaking of the Lord's Supper.
Unsaved one, the gospel has been preached faithfully in your hearing; the good news of God's love and Christ's work have been again and again pressed upon your acceptance. Receive them now before it is too late. Go to the Lord yourself. Without a card of invitation in your hand He will not fail you, if you go in truth to Him now. He says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
If you leave this life with nothing for Him but a false profession, you will find that He does not know you! You have never trusted in Him, and in His holy presence you will be found out and turned out.