“THE publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other (the Pharisee)” (Luke 18:13).
“In the days of Noah,” also “in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained tire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-29).
After the defiance of the long-suffering mercy which the Lord referred to in chapter 17 we hear of God’s answer to the convicted publican’s desire for mercy in chapter 18. These words are momentous; and if our reader has never yet considered them to profit, it will be well to do so now. There will be a last warning! The last Gospel message will be given; and as sure as the time of your birth and the time of your death, the last opportunity of blessing will come.
It is said in history, that during the short occupancy by the French army of the city of Moscow, in 1812, a party of officers and soldiers determined to have a military levee, and chose for this purpose the deserted palace of a nobleman, in the vault of which a large quantity of gunpowder had some time before been deposited.
That night the city was set on fire. The females, who followed the fortunes of the French forces, were decorated for the occasion. During the dance the fire rapidly approached them. They saw it coming, but felt no fear! Again and again they left their pleasure to watch the progress of the flames.
At length the fire, arriving at their own building, caused them to prepare for flight, when a young officer, named Carnot, exclaimed, “One dance more; and defiance to the flames!”
All caught the enthusiasm; the dance continued: the magazine, unknown to them in the vault, exploded, and the dancers were hurried into eternity! What an end to their defiant pleasure-loving!
What a contrast to the portion of true believers. But because they refuse the world’s pleasures the devil would have lookers on to conclude that there is no joy in Christianity! But this is the opposite of the truth.
True lasting joy is found in Christ Jesus, Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2).
Thence He has sent down the Holy Spirit Who sheds abroad in the hearts of those who believe in Christ glorified, the love of God (Rom. 5:5).
May our readers be led to seek the Lord while He may be found, and to call upon Him while He is near; then, instead of eternal woe, joy eternal will be your portion in the presence of Jesus, and the Father Who sent Him.
L. O. L.