I do not know you!

I am currently reading in the Gospel according to Luke for my daily private devotions. This morning, I arrived at chap.13, and verses 13-20. Those verses contain some of the most terrible words that any mortal will ever hear. In v.27, we read these words of the Lord Jesus: "... depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity!'"

The frightening thing about those words is that they were being addressed, not to murderers; adulterers; fraudsters; drunkards; thieves; etc. They were being addressed to those who had claimed:  "'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'" (v.26).

Now, those words were spoken in the presence of a crowd of Jewish people. However, as Paul reminded young Pastor Timothy: "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (II Tim 3:16-17). So those words must have something to say to you an to me to day! Permit me to suggest some of what they might say.

There are, sadly, too many who appear to believe that, as long as they live in a "Christian country" (if such a place can be truly found at this time!), then all is well. When they die, they will, automatically, 'go to heaven'! I am amazed at the number of notices I read in social media that announce the death of a loved one, with the assumption that that person has 'gone to heaven'! I am sorry - but there is nothing in the Bible that teaches such a view of "universal salvation"!

Yet others seem to think that attending a worship service from time to time; doing 'good' things; giving to any form of charity; being 'nice' and 'kind' is sufficient. After all, God will take all of their good works into account, and they are sure to outnumber their less benevolent actions! I am sorry - but there is nothing in the Bible that teaches such a view of "salvation by works"!

I recall, many, many years ago, that the Glasgow Evening Times published a particularly scathing article about the Rev. Prof. William Barclay, headed "Divinity professor who doesn't believe in miracles!" (or some such words!). Now, I had the distinct privilege of sitting under Prof Barclay's tutelage, and may have known more about his personal views than the author of the article appeared to know! I also had the distinct privilege of sitting under the ministry of the Rev George B Duncan in St George's-Tron Church. On the Sunday evening after the article had been published, Mr Duncan was preaching. I confess that I do not recall the complete message - but I can still see him, in my mind's eye, leaning a little over the pulpit lectern. "You know", he said, " there are some people who are going to die, and discover that there are, in heaven, those whom they had never expected to be there." He leaned back, and paused. Then he leaned forward again. " There are going to be some who die, and discover that there are some whom they had expected to be in heaven, but who are not there!" He leaned back again. Then he leaned forward a third time and, with what I can only describe as a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, said, "And, of course, there are some who are going to die, and discover that they are not in heaven themselves!"

Prof. Barclay comments: "The standards of heaven are not the standards of earth." (Daily Study Bible on Luke. p.190). Centuries before, the prophet Isaiah uttered these words of YHWH: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says YHWH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." 

There will, indeed, be many surprises when the final membership of the Kingdom of God is revealed. The Good News is that you may be there! Not because of anything at all that you have done, are doing, or may yet do. Paul, writing to the early disciples of Jesus in Ephesus summed it up in just one sentence: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9; emphases added).

Have you responded, in faith, to that wonderful grace of God - God's Riches At Christ's Expense? He has paid the price, the penalty for your sin and mine, that we may go free. As I have noted before: "He paid a debt that He did not owe, because I owed a debt that I could not pay".

Turn to Him, today. You have no guarantee of another opportunity! Another commentator writes: "... there is inevitably a time-limit on the offer of salvation. When the door of opportunity is finally shut, it will be too late. Men must strive to enter now." (Leon Morris; TP Commentary on Luke). Paul writes: "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Cor 6:2).

Come now - tomorrow may be too late!