THE FINAL AND FATAL DISCOVERY.
By R. F. Cottrell
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” How fearful to discover our fatal error too late to correct it! Yet this will be the case with many. Many professors of religion, many that pray to Christ saying, Lord, Lord, will find too late that they made a fatal mistake, a mistake that cannot be remedied. Many praying persons, so far as words are prayer, will hear the word, “Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.” When Jesus told the twelve that one of them should betray him, they began to ask, Lord is it? And when we are assured by that same Jesus that many will fail of a part in the kingdom of heaven that have called upon his name, been active in revivals, laboring to convert sinners up to their own low standard of praying without doing, and thought they did many wonderful works, should we not inquire, Is it? Now we may avoid that fatal disappointment. How? By doing the will of our Father in heaven, by keeping his commandments, as well as the faith of Jesus. In this way we can secure a right to the tree of life, and entrance abundant into the everlasting kingdom of heaven. “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Do the will of thy Father, and escape a portion with the workers of iniquity. A sad discovery “in that day,” the day of the Lord Jesus! How can this be reconciled with the idea that they have been in conscious torment for years and centuries before that day? Will they think to reverse the decision by which they have so long been in torment, by saying, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?