May 22

Whoever will not hearken, . . . E will require it of him.

DEUT. xviii. 19.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. — JOHN xii. 48.

LET me confront my soul with this solemn truth. The word of Jesus is to be my judge. In a court of jus- tice the judge pronounces the sentence, but it is the law that condemns the criminal. In the same way the Lord Jesus, as the final judge, will pronounce my sentence; but it is the word which judges and condemns.

How solemn then is the relation in which we stand to the words of Jesus! We have been familiar with them from childhood; they will remain in our memory and will rise up to witness against us at the judgment. They would carry their own condemnation with them even though the judge were silent; but the words which Christ spoke were words of mercy. Oh, how dreadful to be condemned by the very words which Christ spoke in mercy and for our salvation!

Think, O my soul, have I declined his words of warning, have I rejected his words of promise, have I perverted his words of mercy into words of judgment?

But the Christian who believes and obeys Christ's words need have no apprehension. "There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Christ himself will witness for them, saying, "I gave them my words and they received them, for they are thine, and all thine are mine, and I am glorified in them."

William M. Paxton

Lord, in this thy mercy's day Ere from us it pass away On our knees we fall and pray.

Judge and Saviour of our race, Grant us when we see thy face With thy ransomed ones a place.

ISAAC WILLIAMS