T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S gulf fixed, that they which would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may: cross over from thence to us” (Luke 16:26). That “ fixed gulf” is surely a yawning chasm too deep to be filled up, and too wide to be bridged over. 4. What did Christ teach as to the causes of future retribution? A careful study of our Lord’s words show that there are two primary causes, namely, deliberate unbelief and wilful rejection of Him; and surely these are but dif ferent aspects of the same sin. In Matt. 8:12, it was the contrast between the faith of the Gentile centurion and the unbelief of the Jewish nation which drew from His lips the solemn words: “ The children of the Kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness;” while, in chapter 23 the awful denunciation in verse 33 is followed by the sad lam entation: “ How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not” (verse 37). Similarly, in Mark 3:29, R. V., the “ eternal sin” spoken of can only be that of continued rejection of the offers of mercy; and in John 8:24, our Lord plainly declares: “ If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” Fin ally, in Mark 16:16, we find the words: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall he condemned.” A careful consideration of theSe passages, and especially of the last, will help to remove one great dif ficulty with regard to the whole subject, namely, the future state of those who have never had the Gospel so plainly presented to them as. to enable them to deliberately accept or reject Christ, to willingly believe the good news or wil fully disbelieve it. Another difficulty is removed when we realize that our Lord taught that there would be different degrees in hell as in heaven. Thus, in Matt. 11:20-24 He taught that it would be “ more tol erable in the day of judgment” for Tyre
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and Sidon than for Chorazin and Beth- saida, and for Sodom than for Caperna um; and in Mark 12:40 He speaks of “ greater damnation.” It is clear that future retribution will be proportioned to the amount of guilt committed and of grace rejected. (See also Luke 12:- 47, 48; John 19:11.) The whole drift of Christ’s teaching shows that future retribution Is not merely an incidental but a fundamental part of the Gospel message. It is the dark background on which its loving’ invitations and tender expostulations are presented, and the Gospel message loses much of its force when the doc trine is left out. The earnest exhorta tions to immediate repentance and faith lose their urgency if the ultimate re sult will be the same if those duties are postponed beyond the present life.. Is it seriously contended that Judas will eventually be as John, Nero as Paul. Ananias and Sapphira as Priscilla and Aquila? Let us believe God’s truth, rather than the devil’s lie; let us accept Divine revelation, rather than human specula tion; and let us heed what Christ-so plainly taught, without mitigating, modifying, or minimizing His solemn warnings. a » as YOUR PIECE OF WORK One of the Rev. Charles H. Spur geon's congregation went into hi$. ves try after hearing a sermon on personal soul-winning work, and asked the preacher’s advice on hOw to set about doing his “ bit,” and would he he al lowed to join the church workers. “What are you?” asked Spurgeon. “ I am an engine-driver,” was the reply. “ Is the stoker converted?” “No, I don’t think so,” said the man. “ But what has that to do with it?" “Why, my dear fellow, that is your piece of work!’’ exclaimed Mr. Spurgeon.
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