Larry was what you might call a middle-of-the road Christian. He saw himself as a faithful member of the community church of Christ. However, his heart had not really been into serving God for about the past 15 years. He was the kind of Christian who shows up for Sunday morning worship, and maybe one Wednesday bible study a month. He didn't believe it was necessary to attend every time the church assembled to worship. He was a busy man who often worked 50-60 hours a week. He needed weekend time to rest and unwind, and he was usually too tired to attend the Wednesday night service. Besides, there was usually a good ball game on TV. God understood. If the people at the community church didn't, well, that was just tough. Besides, it boiled down to their opinions, versus his. That argument had served him well through the years.
Larry's wife, Linda, usually did attend all the worship services. Linda was a Godly woman who made sure that their children attended Bible study faithfully. That was just fine with Larry. In fact, he preferred it that way. It gave him some peace and quiet at home. It also allowed him to get an extra hour of undisturbed sleep on Sunday morning before having to get up and dress for services.
Many times, Linda had encouraged Larry to accompany her and the children to the other services. Larry usually put her off by saying, "Maybe next time, sweetheart." Larry really loved Linda, and he had a great deal of respect for her. She never missed a service and studied her Bible regularly. Many times, Larry had walked into their bedroom to find Linda kneeling in prayer. On one occasion he overheard her asking God to help him become a more dedicated Christian. That made him a little mad, but he still admired Linda's commitment to the Lord. He kept telling himself that one day he would make an effort to be a better Christian.
Last Sunday morning, one of the elders asked Larry if he would be interested in participating in a new visitation program they were planning to begin. Larry made his usual excuses and walked away. As he walked away, he overheard Linda telling the elder that she would be more than happy to visit anyone they asked her to. On the way home, Larry told himself that he was too busy and under a lot of pressure at work. Besides, he just didn't enjoy visiting the sick and elderly. It always depressed him.
One night while Larry was drifting off to sleep, he thought about an argument he and Linda had had that evening. She had found a lottery ticket in his shirt pocket. She was very upset and explained to him that he had compromised his influence as a Christian and that as a Christian, he was expected to maintain an impeccable life style. He was to work hard at staying above reproach. She pleaded with him to destroy the ticket and promise to never buy another one. Larry had exploded and told Linda to mind her own business. He also pulled out his ole faithful argument: "That's just your opinion." Linda burst into tears and ran to the bedroom. That bothered Larry. He wished Linda hadn't found the ticket. It would have saved him a lot of trouble. He would have to be more careful in the future. Larry had been buying lottery tickets for years. He enjoyed it. It was just a harmless distraction. Besides, if his lucky number ever came up, Linda would thank him. At least he thought she would. As Larry silently drifted off to sleep, he wondered what Linda might have been praying about as he entered the bedroom to get ready for bed.
A thunderous noise blasted through the neighborhood. The earth quaked and Larry was thrown from his bed. He was frantically trying to comprehend what was happening. His mind was still clouded with sleep. A bad dream he thought; yeah, I'm just having a nightmare. At that very moment Larry was whisked away from his plain of reality.
The next thing Larry knew, he was standing with a multitude of people. The people around him seemed to stretch to infinity. At that moment he heard what sounded like a trumpet. But this was unlike any trumpet he had heard before. When it sounded, the earth shuddered and quaked. It was then that Larry figured out what was happening. His heart began to beat wildly, and his legs felt like jelly. Just when he thought his legs were going to buckle, he heard a thunderous sound that seemed to echo around the world. It was the sound of his name being spoken by God's Son.
Larry was now looking up into the face of his Lord and Savior. He noticed a pained expression on Jesus' face. At that moment, Jesus spoke. "Larry, are you one of my children?" In his mind Larry was frantically searching for something to say. Finally, in a thin whispering voice he said, "Yes Lord, I have been a member of the community church for 25 years."
Jesus stared at Larry for a few moments and then in a very soft and loving tone asked, "Larry, do you love me?"
In a flash Larry's mind was opened, and he was able to view his past from a new perspective. His feelings of shame and regret were overwhelming. He had been living a lie. He had lied to himself and to everyone else. He now knew that he never really loved God. He had only pretended he did. He had never served God; he only served himself. All the excuses he had made now seemed shallow and insignificant. Larry was unable to respond to Jesus' question. As he gazed back up at Jesus, he observed tears streaming down the Lord's face.
In deep anguish, Jesus spoke, "Larry, I shed my blood on the cross so you could have an opportunity to save yourself. Apparently, my sacrifice meant very little to you. You lived your life according to your own desires. For many years your wife prayed for you. Many times, I tried to answer her prayers. But each time you blocked my attempts."
Jesus sighed. He braced himself for the unpleasant task awaiting him. Larry fell to his knees and began to cry, sobbingly pleading for another chance. However, deep down, Larry knew it was pointless. It was too late.
With a mixture of love, sorrow, and firmness Jesus glared down at Larry and said, "Larry, on earth I was your loving savior, now I am your judge. Depart from me into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels."
At that moment it seemed as if the ground opened beneath Larry, and he began to fall into a dark abyss. He noticed that the further he fell the hotter it got. The heat was like an inferno. As he fell, he gazed up and saw the saints rising up to meet their Lord in the air. One of them was his beautiful wife, Linda. He screamed her name, but, she would never hear it. He continued to fall, and the heat became more intense. He prayed that it would consume him, but he knew it wouldn't. In fact, prayers were now a waste of time. He was eternally separated from God. It was then that he did the only thing he could. He screamed in terror-a scream that would continue throughout eternity.
Brother Coles has painted a chilling picture of the final judgment. While the story is just a story, the Bible supports the truth in his thoughts. There will be a final judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). The Lord will be the righteous judge (Acts 17:31). His word is the standard by which we will be judged (John 12:48). Other people's prayers on our behalf are futile unless we choose to do right (Philippians 2:12). Death will change our perspectives because reality will set in (Hebrews 9:27). The separation on that day will last throughout eternity (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). On that day, there will be no second chances (Matthew 7:21-23). Finally, we will wish to die, but time in that place will continue forever (Matthew 25:46). If you see yourself in this story, please make correction now while you still have opportunity to do so. Prepare to meet your God! (KMG)