The Solemn Warning

Let us also give heed to our Lord’s warning of the servant saying in his heart, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” No change of doc trine in christian truth relative to Christ’s coming is necessary in order to produce this change in the servant’s heart. Decay begin: at the center―by and by the evidences of spiritual decay declare themselves in worldly ways; but He who searches the heart says, “I have against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” If we cease to love Christ fervently, we lose the love of His coming, whatever our doctrines may be, and we become like the sere leaves of autumn, instead of the fresh green growth of spring. Dryness of soul and deadness of soul are closely allied to each other.
Now mark the downward course of faded love to Christ from the starting point. Self asserts itself; the work of the Lord is forsaken; idleness ensues, and mischief follows; jealousy of others fills the heart that once overflowed with love to the Lord’s work; the servant gives up his Lord’s interests and betakes himself to his own, strives with his fellows, and, as a result, begins to beat the men-servants and maidens. Heavy are the blows that fall from the tongues of idle servants, and dark is the picture the Lord portrays of these idle men striving for the mastery, while sinners are perishing and saints are starving.
One more lower step, and mark it well. The idle servant begins to eat and drink; he is self-indulgent; ease and self-pleasing surround him; and his jealous heart wraps itself about in garments of self-gratification.
Yet one last word. It is the downfall of the servant: he is drunken―he wallows in his own shame, a spectacle to the world.
Christ is near: even this day He may come. Have no tomorrow but glory, no today but His return. Blessed are those servants whom He shall find doing His will, ready with a welcome, and waiting for Him!