1. What will I say of those who are irregular about public worship on
far more than this. It is a breach of a clear commandment. What will be said of the man who violates God's law, and does something which God says, "You will not do?" There can be but one answer. He is a sinner. "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4). And what will be said of the man who neglects his soul, and makes no effort to enter the narrow door? There can be only one reply. He is omitting a explicit duty. Christ says to him, "Make every effort," and behold, he sits still!
"Make every effort" teaches that all those outside the narrow door are in great danger. They are in danger of being lost and tormented forever. There is but a step between them and death. If death finds them in their present condition, they will perish without hope. The Lord Jesus saw that clearly. He knew the uncertainty of life and the shortness of time: He would rejoice to have sinners hurry and not to delay, lest they put off the business of their soul till it is too late. He speaks as one who saw the devil drawing near to them daily, and the days of their life gradually ebbing away. He would have them be very careful that they would not wait too long: therefore He cries, "Make every effort."
Those words "Make every effort," raises solemn thoughts in my mind. It is full of condemnation for thousands of baptized persons. It condemns the ways and practices of multitudes who profess and call themselves Christians. There are many who neither swear, nor murder, nor commit adultery, nor steal, nor lie; but one thing unhappily cannot be said of them: they cannot be said to be "making every effort" to be saved. The "spirit of slumber" possesses their hearts in everything that concerns Christianity. They are very busy about the things of the world: they rise early, and go to bed late; they work; they labor; they are busy; they are careful: but the one thing they need to accomplish they never do--they never "make every effort," towards the things of God.
1. What will I say of those who are irregular about public worship on Sundays?