You have something in common with both of these men!
"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."
1*.
Both of these men, like you, had the gift of life from God. How are
you using or abusing your life? You are responsible
to God for what you do with your life! 2*.
"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, ..
he was in torment..." 3*.
For the poor man life seemed to have been very cruel; yet he is the
one who can share with you about how to be ready to meet God!
Jesus called this poor man by his name: "Lazarus", which means "God
is my help". So Lazarus was obviously well known to Jesus - a
personal friend of His! Those who, like Lazarus, experience the
great difficulties and hardships of this life might be more aware
of their need of "outside help" and be more willing to have God as
their help. 4*.
Have you seen your need of God's help and salvation? You
need to be saved from your sin and from the wrath and judgment of
the Holy God? Do you want the "help" Jesus has so freely and
wonderfully provided for sinners in need? You see, the punishment
you deserve for all your sin God has already placed on Jesus, His
sinless Son, when He died for you on the cross. 5*. All who want God's wonderful
kindness and Salvation and who will call upon the name of the
Lord will be saved. 6*.
Like Lazarus you will be able to say "God is my help" and my
salvation, 7*. and be
ready to be taken into the bliss and comforts God had prepared for
all those who, like Abraham, had true faith in God. 8*.
But the other man in the story had not sought God's help and
salvation! He seemed to have had a wonderful life; but
nobody would want to change places with him now!
Those who are living in luxury and self-indulgence can easily think
that they have little or no need of God, and don't want to think
about, or believe in, Hell. They just want to live undisturbed in
whatever way is most pleasing to themselves.
It wasn't until after his death that the rich man suddenly realised
there was judgment; but it was too late for him to do
anything about it! 9*.
You don't have to be rich to be as foolish as he was! Being in
torment he called out, " `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, …
between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, … nor can anyone
cross over ….' " 10*.
Don't wait until it is too late before you discover that
Hell is real. Read about the next
life in Luke's Gospel chapter 16, verses 19-26.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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commentary for Luke's Gospel check out the review index.
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Bible quotations from N.I.V.
1 Luke
16:19-21.
2 Revelation 20:11-13.
3 Luke 16:22-23.
4 Luke 5:31-32.
5 2nd Corinthians 5:21.
Romans 3:25-26.
6 Romans 10:13.
7 Psalm 79:9.
8 Galatians 3:6-14.
9 Hebrews 9:27. Matthew
25:40-46.
10 Luke
16:24-26.
