"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 13:37-50.

If there is anything taught in this parable, it is that there will be people in the kingdom of the Lord in that last day who will be cast "into the furnace of fire." The same principle is taught in many other passages in the New Testament. The question for those of us who are Christians is: "What kind of a fish am I in the net, and what does it take to make me a bad fish?" If we were to go through the Bible and note how little some of the people did to find themselves in Gods disfavor, it might make us a little more careful of some of the little things we do that are not pleasing to God!

Do you think it pleases God when you deliberately stay at home from any of the services of the church? Do you think He is made to rejoice when you fail to do any work that needs to be done to advance His kingdom in the area where you are? Remember, all that Adam and Eve did was to eat of the forbidden fruit; no doubt they thought it was just a little thing. The church at Laodicea was lukewarm, but they no doubt reasoned that they were not doing any great sins. Are you a worker for the Lord, or one who does no real service - a bad fish? A lot of "good men" (that is, they are not really guilty of gross immorality and outright rebellion) will be bad fish in the Lords eyes!

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 5, p. 13
November 30, 1972