Word IV

I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead (7th article of the Creed).

Who says this? Every Christian says this. But if every Christian, then, without doubt, I too, and each of you. So then, brothers and sisters, do you believe with your heart that Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge of all who are born on earth, will come to judge all men, the living and the dead, who shall all live again either to eternal blessedness or to eternal condemnation? Are you ready to meet the universal Judge and answer at the dread judgment of Christ for every deed and word? Do you have good works with you? — Why ask further? From the life and conduct of Christians it is plain that they have forgotten the righteous Judge, the dread judgment, and eternal life, and with every passing day rush headlong toward eternal ruin, which they do not even imagine. They hasten to receive their comfort here on earth, only to be deprived of it forever in heaven. Their whole concern is how to kill precious time, how to pass it pleasantly, but how to spend it profitably for the soul, how to prepare their affairs for their departure (Prov 24:27), is no one’s concern.

Among us earthly joys are almost unbroken. Many among us live as though they will never have to die and give an account of their life. What does this mean? Does it not come from thinking to repent only at the point of death, and so obtain full forgiveness? God, of course, does not reject even those who come to Him at the eleventh hour, that is, those who turn to Him with their whole heart. But if your heart was far from God for the greater part of your life, do you suppose it can easily be moved toward God, that feelings of repentance can be roused in it as death draws near? No, brethren, a Christian end is a reward given to true Christians. Repent, as far as you are able, your whole life long, and a peaceful end with sincere repentance will meet you.

So then, prepare for judgment—for the dread judgment, the righteous judgment, the one and final judgment, after which there will be either eternal blessedness or unending torment. Do not be surprised that I speak so decisively: we are, after all, very close to the eternal fire, and from many of us, perhaps, this very night your soul shall be required of you (Lk 12:20); and you—in hell, in torments… in that flame. So then, prepare for judgment from this very day: do good works while it is day; the night comes of death, when no man can work (Jn 9:4). We have labored long enough for vanity. It is time to look upon our poor soul with eyes of self-examination. Attend church, sigh over your sins; await with her, in fear, the great day of judgment. The Church’s thought is constantly on the judgment: morning, noon, and evening; every day, early and late, she reminds her children of this great day that will decide the fate of the whole human race, while her children’s thoughts are taken up with whatever, for a few minutes, pleasantly turns their heads and gladdens a heart passionate for earthly joys. The Lord, who is Truth and Life, thunders forth with His voice concerning His Judgment, which must surely come to pass, and commands us to watch and pray at every season in the spirit (Mk 13:33; Lk 21:36), that we may be found worthy to escape the fearsome fate of the condemned; the Apostles assure us that the Judge is at the door (Jac 5:9), yet we seem unwilling even to hear of it. Some think, and even say: what a fearsome judgment! The Lord is merciful: He will have mercy; for we sin more from weakness than from malice—forgetting that only the merciful shall receive mercy (Mt 5:7); that judgment without mercy shall be to him who has shown no mercy (Jac 2:13). Where, then, are your works of mercy, when it is plain you care only for yourself?

Brethren! God forbid that any of us should find himself where the rich man found himself, who feasted sumptuously every day. But if we do find ourselves there, it will be too late to ask for a drop of water from there to cool our tongue, too late to send from there to our kindred, that they too might not come to that same place (Lk 16:19-31).

Watch, for you know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man will come (Mt 25:13). Amen.