Now.

Luke 16:19‑31
DEAR reader, there is surely a deeply important lesson to be learned from the unavailing earnestness of the rich man, whose story is so solemnly rated by the Lord (Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31)). No doubt you have often been impressed by that terrible picture.
You will remember then that Scripture says, “In hell (hades) he lifted up his eyes, being in torments.” He has reached the place where misery is eternal—that abyss of gloom where one ray of hope can never enter.
None of his requests can now be granted, no matter how earnest they may be—it is too late! but from the words uttered in the depths of that gulf-separated place there sounds out a lesson for others who have not yet passed into eternity—a lesson of which souls today would do well to take advantage.
Oh! that people could throw off the chains of procrastination and indifference which are bound round them. Oh! that they could be endued, in this the day of God’s long-suffering grace, with even the smallest measure of the earnestness of this man in hell. Surely it would mean the salvation of their precious souls!
One meets with many who might be described in the words of a well-known poet—
“How oft my guardian angel gently cried,
‘Soul, from thy casement look, and thou shalt see
How He persists to knock and wait for thee!’
And, oh! how often to that voice of sorrow,
‘Tomorrow we will open,’ I replied;
And when the morrow came, I answered still,
‘Tomorrow.”
But, dear reader, while it is possible that you may say, “Tomorrow or some other convenient season” is time enough to be in earnest about salvation, remember this that God says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)).
Surely the sad case of this eternally-doomed sinner (procrastinator in life as he must have been) should be a solemn warning against trifling with precious time. Let me tell you, that if you have not yet decided for the Lord Jesus, every “tomorrow” finds you weaker, and more a slave than you were yesterday.
Then, “Come to the Saviour, make no delay.”
Be in earnest, Now,
and present true happiness and eternal bliss will be yours.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)).
A. S. M.