Abraham’s Response
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Luke 16:25,26
Read John 3:1-16; James 5:1-6
Abraham replied to the rich man using the term, son. What did he mean by that? Surely Abraham’s children do not end up in hell? Let us be careful before making such claims. A person may be Jewish simply because their parents are Jewish, yet never accept the truth. You and I can be covenant children of God, yet end up in hell. Why? Because children of Abraham as well as covenant children of God need to be regenerated by God’s Spirit. Whoever is not born again after being born into this world will remain lost.
Have you already been convinced of this biblical truth? Lay this need before the Lord. For, as we see in the parable before us, we are confronted with matters concerning eternal life and eternal death. The rich man had been satisfied with his riches during his earthly life. Lazarus, however, only experienced misery on earth. After death, Lazarus experienced comfort while the rich man had to endure pain.
Think back on your life. You can still be converted. After death, as this parable indicates, no change will be possible. If we end up in hell it is forever too late. Does that mean that you must throw all your possessions away? Not necessarily. The Lord deals with His people in a way particularly suited to them. One thing is necessary, that we learn to sit as beggars at the gate of the heavenly King, pleading for crumbs from His table. Thought: You may be baptized and still be lost.
Psalter 428: 2 (based on Psalm 119) O let Thy Spirit be my constant aid, That all my ways may ever be directed To keep Thy statutes, so to be obeyed, That from all error I may be protected. I shall not be ashamed then nor afraid, When thy commandments I have e’er respected.