40 What Will You Be?

What Will You Be?

We cannot but look forward to the future sometimes. In youth, we look forward to manhood, and wonder what we shall be then. In manhood, we look forward to old age, and ask, what shall we be then? But we seldom look forward far enough. Let us for a few moments carry our thoughts into the future. It must come; let us therefore think of it before it arrives.

What will you be at DEATH? Disease is hurrying thousands into eternity. Death is not far from any one of us. Many have been healthy — and dead, in the course of a few hours! If death comes to arrest us, what will it find us? Shall we be found enemies to God, dead in sin, and careless about our everlasting welfare? Will death find us out of Christ? If so — we shall be most miserable! The sins of our past lives will stare us in the face. A burden of guilt will crush our spirits. The dread of meeting God in judgment will fill us with alarm. The thoughts of eternity will crowd upon us and make us truly wretched. Our reflections will be most gloomy, and all our false hopes will perish. How many have died in this state lately! What a mercy that we have been spared! Let us improve the respite that is given us. Oh, what would thousands of lost souls give to be in our circumstances for one week, for one hour. But no, they have passed the barrier which separates time from eternity, and the gulf forbids their return. Shall we ever be in their state?

What will you be at the JUDGMENT? We must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Not one will be allowed to escape. The small and great will all stand before God. Every one must give account of himself to God. What account can the swearer give — or how will he excuse his swearing? What account can the liar give, or how will he justify his lying? What account can the immoral person give, or what reason will he assign for his conduct? What account can you, reader, give? If you have neglected your soul — if you have disregarded the warnings given you — if you have lived in any known sin — if you have refused to listen to the gospel message — if you have rejected the Savior — what can you say for yourself? What will you be at the judgement?

Surely you will be judged by all, as deserving damnation. Surely you will stand condemned in your own conscience, before the Judge addresses one word to you. Oh, to be a criminal, a self-convicted criminal, then! Oh, to be doomed to everlasting punishment, by the Savior who died for sinners — but who is now the Judge of all!

What will you be in ETERNITY? This depends upon what you are in time. In time we sow — in eternity we reap.

If you live in sin — you will die in sin.

If you die in sin — you will be eternally punished for sin.

If you now reject Christ — you will be forever banished from Christ.

If you live as an enemy of God in this world — you will be treated as an enemy of God in the world to come.

What will you be in eternity? No question can be more solemn, or more important.

What are you NOW? Are you a holy saint — or an unrepentant sinner? Are you a believer — or an unbeliever? Are you an obedient child of God — or a disobedient rebel in his kingdom?

Whatever a man sows — that shall he also reap.

Eternity will confirm — what we are in time.

Here on earth, the vessel is formed and figured — eternity is but the kiln furnace which hardens and renders the figures indelible. What you are now — you will be forever. But if you are a sinner now, if you are unhappy now, you need not be always so. The blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all sin, and the grace of Jesus will make you truly happy. No one will force you to Hell. If you go there, it will be because you choose to go there. God says, "As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Jesus says, "Whoever will — let him come unto me. But you will not come unto me that you might have life."

Reader, life and death, Heaven and Hell, salvation and damnation — are set before you, and you must make your choice. If you seek death, if you prefer Hell, if you choose damnation — you will have an eternity to suffer for it, and repent of your folly. Upon your present course — depends what you will be at death, at judgment, and in eternity. May you repent of sin, believe in Jesus, be reconciled to God — and so will you be . . .
happy at death,
justified at the judgment, and
glorified throughout eternity!