MEMORY is a very useful thing. Some have good memories and others have bad ones, but most of us can remember something. Will you please turn to four passages in the Scriptures where we are bidden to remember.
God is your Creator. You may like to think that man has evolved in some mysterious manner from an animal till he has become a very intellectual and intelligent being, but man’s thoughts will never, never alter God’s facts.
Look at yonder sun one fine summer’s morning in all its splendor; take a look at the moon one evening when she is full; then behold the thousands of stars to be seen on a starry night and think of your Creator. God created them all and many more constellations that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Yes, He created you and He asks you to remember Him before you grow beyond youth’s stage, for the promise is that “those that seek Me early shall find Me” (Prov. 8:1717I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. (Proverbs 8:17)).
Again, the verse says, “Remember NOW,” not tomorrow, not at some far distant date, not when you have more pious inclinations, but NOW in the days of your youth. Many have put off till too late, but “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)).
He who is so great and so mighty could command allegiance to Himself, but He does not. Oh! leave not God out of all your thoughts, lest one day He leave you to them entirely.
2. To those older. “REMEMBER Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:3232Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32)); a warning.
These words were uttered by the Lord when here on earth. There is no further comment of any kind, just those three words― “Remember Lot’s wife.”
The detailed account can be read in Genesis 19. Lot, his wife and his two daughters appear to be the only ones prepared, even in a small measure, to leave Sodom. The angels had first to hasten Lot, urging him to arise and take his wife and daughters, then owing to his lingering, the men take hold of the four of them by the hand and drag them out of the place. Having given them directions they left them; but Lot’s wife, in direct disobedience to the warning given, and her heart being inseparably bound up with Sodom and its pleasures, looks back and judgment is executed without further warning.
Look out, dear reader, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:2121For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)) ― “Remember Lot’s wife.” It is possible for others to bring you as near safety as it is possible to get you, and then for you to be so wrapped up with the things of time that your soul may be lost and lost forever.
“Ah! yes,” says someone, “I know the story of the rich man and Lazarus―how the rich man got the worst of it in the end, and serve him right, too, and the poor man had every happiness in the next world.” The present-day advanced Socialist would fain like to think and persuade others that the rich go to hell because they are rich, and the poor to heaven because they are poor―but this is not so.
This is what can be learned from the parable. Firstly, that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:2424And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)). Secondly, that the poor are not debarred from entering there. Thirdly, that man is responsible for the blessings and privileges he enjoys now. You may be very poor for aught I know, but it strikes me that in most of the lands where this magazine penetrates we receive a wonderful large share of the “good things” (vs. 25). The Gospel is preached in thousands of thousands of places, and God’s way of salvation proclaimed by lip and pen, so that you can scarcely get away from it at times. You enjoy some of the good things of living in a so-called Christian country and all its consequent privileges. Alas! the heathen in their darkness know little of any of these good things. Beware lest, as in the parable, the poor, dark heathen enter into blessing, and the easy-going pleasure-seekers of these lands pass into eternal woe.
Perhaps someone else says, “Ah! yes, but this is only a parable.” Granted, dear reader, but a parable or picture is intended to convey something. The Lord Jesus Christ when here on earth did not act in judgment, making an actual example of some of those around Him; no, He just drew a picture to portray the truth He wished to convey.
“SON REMEMBER,” and when heaven thunders such a command there will be no bad memories. How solemn!
We probably have all experienced in some degree the pleasure of giving over that of receiving, but the Lord Jesus gave Himself for our sins. His gift was His all and the best that He could give. His words are exemplified by His action.
Forget all my remarks if you will, but do remember the words of Holy Scripture which you have read and especially these. Give joy in heaven over yet another sinner repenting, and heaven’s happiness shall be even greater than your own in being the recipient of God’s free salvation. He longs to bestow peace and joy in your heart if you will but trust Him. Come to Him just as you are, and ask His forgiveness, and He will receive you as He did the writer over twenty-two years ago.
L. A. ANDERSON.