BEN F. VICK, JR.
“And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death” (1 Sam. 20:3).
The young man, David, knew that King Saul was out to kill him. He expressed this concern to his friend, Jonathan, Saul’s son. David is on the lam, being hunted as a criminal. He escaped to a cave, perhaps Adullum. Even though he had a few loyal men, his loneliness like the wet, windy cold, went through his bones. And he cried, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, But there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul” (Psa. 142:4;1 Sam. 22:1).
The Sweet Singer of Israel’s words hit home with us occasionally. Death is a step away for each of us. All must take this step (Psa. 89:48; Heb. 9:27). Like David, we do not know when we shall take it (James 4:14). It is a parting step. We shall part from property and possessions (Luke 12:20). We shall leave family and friends. Our souls will depart from our bodies (Ecc. 12:7; Gen. 35:18; James 2:26). It is a solemn and mysterious step. Job answered his friends, “Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, Before I go whence I shall not return, Even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death; A land of darkness, as darkness itself; And of the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as darkness” (Job 10:20-22). We shall take this step alone or with Christ. How shall we take this step?
Shall I take this step in ignorance? The parable of the lost coin describes many today: They are lost and do not know it (Luke 15:8). Our Lord was killed because of ignorance (Acts 3:13-17). The people of Athens in Paul’s day worshiped in ignorance. Paul said, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). Peter warns scattered Christians, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:3-5). But ignorance will be no excuse: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).
Will I take that last step in negligence? The writer of Hebrews said, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Heb. 2:1-4.) “Neglect” is defined as (1) to give little attention or respect to; disregard; (2) to leave undone or unattended through carelessness; to omit, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget. Many out of Christ have neglected him. Neglect also describes many in the church. One does not have to work at losing his salvation. Just neglect it. Do I neglect the worship assembly (Heb. 10:24-25)? Do I neglect Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15)? How much attention do I give to my prayer life (Matt. 7:7-11; Acts 2:42; 1 Thess. 5:17)? Am I careless in visiting the sick or shut-ins, or studying the Bible with individuals (Gal. 6:10; Matt. 25:31-46; Mark 16:15-16)?
Will I take that last step in rebellion against God? Some live in open rebellion (2 Tim. 3:1-8). In Jeremiah’s day, Judah was living in rebellion against God. Jeremiah challenged them, but they would not listen: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken” (Jer. 6:16-17). Forsaking of the Lord’s Day assembly, of which many are guilty, is a willful sin (Heb. 10:24-29). Paul said of one who was once with him: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10).
Will that last step taken into eternity be one of procrastination? Paul stood before the governor, “and as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25). The inspired record does not tell us that Felix ever had “a convenient season” to obey the gospel. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest of these: It might have been.” How many have put off what we know is right (James 4:13-15)? Some are convenient season “Christians.” A farmer might say: Wait till the crops come in. A student might excuse himself by saying: Let me first get through school. Another person might say: Let me get my bills paid first. Someone else might say: Wait till I retire. Then, I will do more for Jesus. But death does not always wait for a convenient season. Two young men are out gathering old deer antlers, and a mountain lion mauls them. One of the young men dies. A young father cycling on a Saturday morning is killed instantly by a drunk driver. An elderly lady crossing a busy street is hit by a car and dies. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The only way to take that last step is in righteousness. Balaam, though he did not die the way he wished, said, “Who can count the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!” (Num. 23:10). John wrote, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).