The Lazarus Story.
Here is a story told by Jesus that I have commented on before but I feel needs to be spoken about.
Jesus said,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Look on this story like this. The rich man could easily be those calling themselves Christians but are not.
They are people rich in the knowledge of the Bible. They can quote copious quantities of scripture from memory. They know the way of salvation. They know all of this intellectually. They even preach it from the pulpit. The church building they are in may even be very luxurious. The congregation may even be growing. They may even think of themselves as being spiritually clothed with fine linens.
Yet come judgement day they will find themselves on the wrong side of the great divide. Asking why am I hear.
Jesus notes,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23.
That being said the beggar in the above story are all those who do not know the Lord. They are the refugees of all faith and lifestyles that are seeking the safety of the western countries. They are people with different lifestyles, philosophies, even atheist who are looking for meaning in life.
Meaning that those who are rich with the gospel message have but for whatever reason will not take to them.
As Christians it is our duty to present to all who will listen to us a if you will spiritual feast. A table laden with spiritual truth and the Salvation message.
If we are not doing this we as believers in Christ are failing God.
Please think about it.
Here is a story told by Jesus that I have commented on before but I feel needs to be spoken about.
Jesus said,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Look on this story like this. The rich man could easily be those calling themselves Christians but are not.
They are people rich in the knowledge of the Bible. They can quote copious quantities of scripture from memory. They know the way of salvation. They know all of this intellectually. They even preach it from the pulpit. The church building they are in may even be very luxurious. The congregation may even be growing. They may even think of themselves as being spiritually clothed with fine linens.
Yet come judgement day they will find themselves on the wrong side of the great divide. Asking why am I hear.
Jesus notes,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23.
That being said the beggar in the above story are all those who do not know the Lord. They are the refugees of all faith and lifestyles that are seeking the safety of the western countries. They are people with different lifestyles, philosophies, even atheist who are looking for meaning in life.
Meaning that those who are rich with the gospel message have but for whatever reason will not take to them.
As Christians it is our duty to present to all who will listen to us a if you will spiritual feast. A table laden with spiritual truth and the Salvation message.
If we are not doing this we as believers in Christ are failing God.
Please think about it.
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