It Isn't Funny!

        When things happen in life, some of them are funny and some are not so funny. In the late 1980's, my wife and I stopped at our daughter's home before embarking on a short mission trip to North Carolina. I went out for a walk and was walking back towards the house on the heavily traveled route 460. I was well on the shoulder of the road facing the traffic and suddenly spotted something headed my way which instantly hit me in the chest. It stung a little and I looked to see what it was. The spot on my T-shirt was rather pink and I looked on the ground to find what it was. The object that was thrown at me from a car traveling bout 45 miles per hour was a raw hot dog. I was livid with resentment and anger. After all, who would hit a pastor with a hot dog traveling at 45 miles per hour. I went home and was relating to my daughter what had happened and she began laughing uncontrollably at the incident. I kept saying, “It isn't funny.” It was serious to me and she couldn't stop laughing. I guess some things that happen in life are funny while others are not. Oddly enough, some people think that the discussion over heaven and hell is funny. To the unbeliever, such a discussion is ludicrous and is something in which to poke fun at, but nonetheless, it is not funny but one of the most serious matters that a person could ever think about. Matthew 7:22-23 says, “ Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” 

           The scene mentioned in this passage is going to be played out time and time again as people who are forced to stand at the final judgment seat to receive the judgment that they deserve. Many if not all will try to plead their case based upon the supposedly good works that they did while present on earth. Even the best unbeliever, no matter how good they have been, will finally hear the end of the judgment with the words, “I never knew you. Depart from me...” The nonbeliever on this side of the judgment may think it is funny and will often ridicule believers and the plan of salvation. At the point of this passage however, it won't be funny any more. You might be able to cope with rejection from most people, but you will be sweating and trying to come up with an excuse when you finally hear the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords say, “I never knew you....” There probably are many things in your life that you might think of as being funny even when they occurred in a serious moment. I can laugh about the hot dog incident today, but it was serious when it happened. No one is going to be able to bypass judgment and you will stand in one of two places. This scene in today's passage is going to be at the Great White Throne as mentioned in the Book of Revelation and there will not be anyone laughing. God has given us the most simple plan of salvation as we see Paul's answer to the Philippian jailer. The decision must be made on this side before you step into eternity. What will it be? Will you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior or will you put it off and perhaps laugh at those who profess to know Him. Praise God that He has provided so great a salvation.