CHRISTIAN’S LIST
II Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Holocaust! The events leading up to this devastating and evil occurrence can be studied with a clinical perspective from copious volumes of historical text, yet it was simply the external manifestation of one man’s depravity. How could the hate, wickedness, and evil of one man have become the catalyst of a national pogrom of genocide?
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
During World War II the dreaded Nazi blitzkrieg was a new and devastating tactic never before seen. This tactic permeated their society. It was a tactic of take, take, take, and don’t stop till you’ve taken it all. It worked well for them in battle after battle, and unfortunately it worked in their society, as well. The Jews became a target of opportunity and a blitzkrieg was launched against the Chosen in their midst. The Nazi’s took, took, and took. Instead of coming to their senses they conspired to hide their shame, evil, and depravity from the world. They weren’t going to stop till they had taken all and nothing was left to be seen. It would have utterly succeeded without the advent of America’s intervention after the devastation of Pearl Harbor. Oh, what a tangled web in world events which ultimately led to a cessation of genocide, the saving of multitudes, many, some, few and finally, one Jew. After all, the Holocaust was the result of the multiplicity of murdered, anguished, singular lives, their sole individualism combined with a host of others to define genocide, an almost clinical and tidy expression. The people of a genocide are individuals; individuals marked for death.
There were a few good men, some Godly men in that society which weren’t swayed and took measures to save Jews. There were books and a movie produced about one such man named Schindler. Some say he profited from other’s misfortune, some call him a savior. Whatever his motive, he kept families together, kept many out of the Concentration Camps. In one poignant scene, the movie comes crashing down around the audience and almost in silent crescendo cries out in tortured silence its entire purpose and cause. Schindler stands at the head of a crowd; a multitude of condemned but saved Jews. He looks with tears streaming down his cheeks as they convey thanks for his efforts and their escape. Why does he cry? Is it out of joy the tears fall from soaked lashes? Is it the sheer number of these saved lives, each listed not only on paper, but on his mind, which cause him happiness? No, it is the ghost of those not saved which haunt his mind. It is those he could not reach, those not on his list, the ones herded into cattle cars for their final destination in furnaces of the Nazi death camps. He doesn’t see the many, he sees the few. He can’t realize his success because of his failure. These lives only underscore the death in their midst. One Jew asks why he is so overcome with sadness. Schindler looks down at his gold wedding band, touching it with almost a caress, he looks back into the eyes of the Jew, and through the tears explains how he could have done more. He could have sold his wedding band and saved two, no, maybe, three more Jews. He could have eaten less, cut out every possible luxury, survived on the barest of essentials, to save even more.
This was his final day. This was the day beyond hope, his Day of Judgment. Finally, it was over. His opportunity to make a difference had ended. There was no more he could do. He had done it already. Had he done enough? At the end he realized he hadn’t. Oh, what pain must have tortured his soul at this final realization. So many saved, yet so many lost!
Christian, born-again believer, we can learn a lesson from this man. We live out our lives in a world where Satan seeks to destroy not just a few but the whole of God’s greatest creation. Satan has launched a pogrom of genocide against all of man. He joys at the Lost who find themselves herded by sin into the cattle cars of their own unbelief, heading down unwavering tracks to their final destination in the furnace of Satan’s prison, the Lake of Fire. Since Satan can’t usurp God, he plans to reign in Hell. There is a saying I believe comes straight from the chief of fallen angels, “ ‘Tis better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven.” Who will stand in the path of evil, wickedness, and murder? Would it be the Christian?
Why do we not just leave this world and go straight to Heaven when we are saved? It’s God’s second greatest gift, the gift of opportunity! It is for us as much as the Lost. What will you do on Judgment Day? Will you stand before Jesus Christ and look down at your earthly life and slowly caress the thoughts of opulence, luxury, material possessions, and in your regret cry great sobbing tears, body wracking tears, soul wrenching tears? As you look past the throne at the multitude of brothers and sisters in Christ, will you see those you helped, encouraged, or led to Christ or those you didn’t? Will you be content with the effort and effect of this opportunity, or review a mental and short list of souls? Will it be too late when you finally realize?
Oh, Christian! Shed your tears today. Today is the day when we should cry in desperation for the Lost and dying around us in this world. When going to God in prayer, loose the tears of love and charity for your family, friends, and neighbors. When you finish those prayers, visit your family, friends, and neighbors with the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Astonish yourself and pray for those who persecute, harm, and revile you. Take the Gospel to them, as well.
Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
And, Christian, what of that day, when Christ will look at us, and we at the ghost of them?
Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
How will this come about? How will the tears of regret be wiped away? Will Christ perhaps, show us those who went in our stead; those who took the Gospel when we didn’t; those who gave of themselves when we wouldn’t; those who cried tears for our Lost? Will he show that regardless of our service they had an opportunity through another saint?
I can only hope.
But, until then, we should endeavor to be greater than Schindler, endeavor to be a true Christian. We should endeavor to save the Lost. Schindler realized he hadn’t sacrificed enough. Have we?
After all, isn’t it our reasonable service.
Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
