You may mock at the sound of that word judgment; you may laugh at the bare mention of eternity, and smile scornfully at those who would urge upon you the fearful reality of the lake of fire; but remember that that blessed Savior who now offers you a present and eternal salvation through faith in His finished work, also warns you of "the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:44.
A bold infidel, who had professed to not believe in the eternal punishment of the wicked, lay on his dying bed. He was about to take a fearful leap in the dark. He shuddered as he stood on the threshold of the unseen world. He had tried to reason himself into the thought that there was no future, but his infidelity could not carry him further than the grave; and now, as he stood with one foot in that grave, with the cold sweat of death upon his brow, the dark thought kept haunting his troubled mind that it might be true after all.
"Ah," thought he, "if hell is a reality after all, what a fool have I been all my life long in rejecting salvation through the blood of Christ."
Just as he was about to expire, he exclaimed,
"I would gladly give $50,000, yes, all I possess, if I could have it proved to my satisfaction that there is no such place as hell."
With these words on his lips, he passed into eternity.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked." He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. And tell me now, dear reader, if you were to be judged according to your works, would you not be condemned?
"That is just what troubles me," I hear you say; "I am a sinner, and a great one, too; I am guilty before God—what is to be done?''
"Nothing that you can do, will put away your sins, for your very best works are as filthy rags in God's sight. Your prayers, your works have no efficacy in them. But listen,
"GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US." Rom. 5:8.
Yes, wondrous, blessed truth, God loves you notwithstanding your sins. He does not love your sins, He loves you; but great as His love to you,. He could not have you in His holy presence with one spot of sin upon you, and therefore,
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
This is enough. Christ has died. He has borne those scarlet sins in His own body on the tree, so that God can now righteously proclaim to you the present and eternal forgiveness of all your sins through the finished work of Christ, for "by Him, Jesus, all that believe are justified from all things." (Acts 13:39).
"VERILY, VERILY
I SAY UNTO YOU,
HE THAT HEARETH
MY WORD,
AND BELIEVETH
ON HIM THAT SENT ME,
HATH EVERLASTING
LIFE,
AND SHALL NOT COME
INTO CONDEMNATION;
BUT IS PASSED FROM
DEATH UNTO LIFE."
John 5:24