36. Think Soberly

Think Soberly

Think soberly. Romans 12.3.

Everybody thinks. Thoughts of all kinds and descriptions are forever racing through our minds. Some are high and noble, and others are low and selfish. Some are inspired by the Lord, and others are inspired by the devil. Some have the power to pull us heavenward, and others to drag us down to hell. It is therefore important how we think. The Lord has told us: “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Colossians 3.2). Let us pray that the following suggestions may be an aid in that direction.

“It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment” (Hebrews 9.27). This is an appointment we can not refuse. It is not within our power to change it. We will not be able to come even one minute late. The appointment has been made for us and we will be there. This is a sobering fact. God alone knows the appointed time. Perhaps it is so near that the shadows of death are already beginning to fall on us. We may be marked as the next one to be summoned from our respective families. Each day and each hour brings us closer to the appointed time. Every time the clock ticks, some have come to the appointed time. The apostle Paul, seeing the approach of death, wrote, “The time of my departure is come” (2 Timothy 4.6). He had no fear, for he had waited for this appointment. His life’s motto was, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1.21). He wanted to “depart and be with Christ, for it is far better” (Philippians 1.23). Friend, do not forget to mark down in your appointment book that “It is appointed unto men once to die.” Then remember, “There is but a step between me and death.”

Another sobering thought: “We must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5.10). Notice the words “all” and “each one.” That makes it personal. This, then, is another sobering appointment that we should mark in our appointment book. Where? The judgment seat of Christ. When? After death. Why? To receive the things done in the body, according to what we have done, whether it be good or bad. We often forget that Jesus charged His apostles to preach “that this is he who is ordained of God to be the judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10.42). He is ordained to be the Judge. A group of unprepared people will some day “hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains and cry to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne” (Revelation 6.15—16). What a horrible moment! Truly, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10. 3). Such verses ought to cause the most thoughtless sinner to think soberly.

A final sobering thought is that once we depart from this earth there remains no more hope for salvation. The rich man in Hades pleaded for mercy, but was told, “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us” (Luke 16.26). Did anyone ever receive a more sobering answer? No hope—a great gulf fixed that none may cross over. The cry for mercy came too late. Hell is full of sober-thinking people. The poor rich man was told, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime . . .“ Stop, do not say “remember.” What torture! It stirs the hell fires to a flame. No wonder “there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13.28). God save us from this horrible place “where the worm dieth not.”

These three sobering facts should cause all who read these lines to “think soberly.” He who will despise these truths now will some day despise himself. What mercy to be reminded while still living in the day of grace! What a blessing that we are invited to “draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4.16). How sweet to hear again the words, “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6.2). How precious the promise from Christ, “He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me hath eternal life, and cometh not unto judgment, but hath passed out of death into life” (John 5.24). How precious is Christ to a believer!