2950) Can it Be That Easy? (2/3)

     (…continued) Can it be that easy?

     The Christians in Rome thought so.  The Apostle Paul faced that same question.  So, after five chapters of going on and on about grace, in chapter six verse one Paul says: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”  Well, why not Paul?  You just said it’s all by grace.  So, what can you threaten us with now?  But Paul does not retreat on the free gift of the Gospel.  Rather, he does go on to talk about the damaging effects of sin, saying how we become slaves to it, how we are only hurting ourselves, asking what benefits we are receiving by hanging on to our sins, and then closing out the chapter with these words of warning: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  In the book of Galatians, Paul makes the warning even sharper, saying: “Do not be deceived: God will not be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up.”  In other words, don’t mess around with God on this.

     Another story.  Many years ago, in my little congregation, there were two old men dying at about the same time.  I would visit one, and then the other.  Harvey was not a gangster like Mickey Cohen, but he was not a nice person.  He was a mean and hateful man who was on the outs with everyone.  I am not exaggerating.  No one in town liked Harvey.  He had given everyone he ever met reasons to dislike him.  He had eleven brothers and sisters and was not on speaking terms with any of them.  He had a wife, and everyone felt sorry for her, even worried about her, because he was so mean.  He had no children, but a kind niece was helping them out a bit.  He was not nice to her either.  He was still on the church roster, but no one could remember him ever being there.  He was unable to speak an entire sentence without cursing and swearing, quite often taking the Lord’s name in vain.  He tolerated my visits, but was not an easy man to talk to.  I did want to talk to him about Jesus.  I had in mind to tell him the parable of how even the workers that came in right at the end of the day received the same wage (Matthew 20:1-16); so even those who come to Jesus right at the end, if they were sorry for their sins and repented, could receive the same grace.  I did think that a man in his last days would be open to hearing about that.  When I brought it up, Harvey was open to that conversation.  He even did all the talking, and what he said, took me by surprise.  He said, “Don’t worry about me pastor—me and the Lord, we’re close… we’re close… we are just like that…”  (Holding up his crossed fingers.)  What he meant by that, he didn’t say, and I didn’t have a clue.  But Harvey wanted no further discussion on the subject; and in that frame of mind, a few days later, he met his Lord, and I do wonder what kind of meeting they had.

     At about the same time, on the other side of town, Walter was dying.  Walter was one of the most loved men in the church and the community.  He was old and sick now, but for as long as he was able, he was there to help anyone with anything.  He served his church.  He served his community.  He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.  He was a friend to everyone and a most pleasant man to visit.  His prayer books were on the table by his chair, he shared his memories of the faith of his parents and the country church he attended as a child; and he welcomed my prayers, Bible readings, and Holy Communion.  He knew he was failing fast, and he had the utmost faith in his Lord.  But when I talked about his approaching death and being with Jesus in heaven, he was troubled.  He said, “But pastor, I don’t know if I will see Jesus.  I don’t know if I will go to heaven.  I don’t know if I have been good enough.  I have not always done his will.”  I told Walter about grace, about forgiveness, about the first five chapters of Romans, about the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus, and I read every applicable Bible verse I could think of—and there are many.  He loved to hear about all of that, but he just was not sure if any of it would apply to him, and he died with that anxiety in his heart.  I do believe Walter then met Jesus in heaven, and I think Jesus might have said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant;” and, “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith” (Matthew 25:21 and II Timothy 4:7).

     It is not for me to judge Harvey or Walter.  But I tell their stories to help you understand this for your own life.  First of all, you must not take for granted God’s grace like Harvey.  Secondly, you need not be filled with anxiety like Walter.  As always, it is the Bible that will be our guide through this.  Let me tell you how.  (continued…)