The two worlds

Luke 16:25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.

            The lesson is the man who seeks enjoyment in this life as his chief end must suffer in the next life, and he who endures suffering in his life for righteousness sake shall be happy in the next.

1.      What are the good things which the rich man received here for which he must be tormented hereafter?

a.       The worldly man derives a more intense physical enjoyment from this world’s goods, than does the child of God. In the past history of humankind the great positions and the great incomes as a general rule, have not been in the hands of simple and penitent men. Besides, how often does it happen that a fine physical constitution, health and vigor, are given to the world ling and denied to the child of God.

b.      The worldly man derives more enjoyment from sin and suffers less from it in this life than does the child of God. The really renewed man cannot enjoy sin. The days of a stupid and impenitent man glide by with no twinges of conscience. But it is right; it is just that this taste of things should last forever? Ought it not to be reversed?

2.      The practical lessons which follow from this subject are:-

a.       No man can have his good things, in other words his chief pleasures, in both worlds. God and this world are in antagonism.

b.      Every man must take his choice whether he will have his good things now or hereafter.

c.       It is the duty and wisdom of every man to let this world and to seek his good things hereafter.