And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16.23

As I meditate on this passage, I imagine being in Lazarus’ place, looking down from the glory of God, from the bosom of Abraham, to those who are in hell. Without a doubt, we would have numerous surprises from those who seemed to have a true faith, but actually had a religious faith. It would be something like this:

– Father Abraham, that woman was so dedicated in church, she seemed so firm, why is she in hell?

– She appeared to be firm in church, but she had an emotional faith. She lived a lie and deceived everyone, because she was in a relationship with a married man.

– Father Abraham, that one over there was the head of the assistants, she was always working in the church, she prepared the Lord’s Supper, she seemed to be so holy, why is she in hell?

– One time, a Pastor called her attention and from then on she began to harbor hatred toward him and never forgave him. She fell ill and died with this feeling inside her heart.

– Father Abraham, that assistant over there helped me so much, he counseled me every time I went to church, why is he in hell?

– He was not wise when it came to choosing a woman of God to marry. He ended up being intimate with his girlfriend, who was also an assistant. Neither of them repented and decided to leave the church, falling into the world of addictions. They were involved in a car accident while returning from a nightclub and died in sin.

– Father Abraham, I converted with that Pastor over there. He was doing the meeting when I first came to church. He often showed the power of God against demons I once served and worshiped before coming to church, so I admired him for his anointing. Why is he in hell?

– His ministry began well, but he did not remain vigilant or sacrifice the will of his flesh. One day, he was tempted by a woman and did not resist, he betrayed his wife and left the church, he fell into the world of sin, and died without repenting.

– Father Abraham, how about that Pastor’s wife? She was ahead of the other wives and was seen as an example of a woman of God. Why is she in hell?

– She appeared to be alive, but she was gradually dying. She stopped praying at home, stopped fasting, and stopped making time to meditate on the Word of God. She began to pay more attention to futile things, and so she became spiritually cold. She had to face her desert, “the evil day,” as is written in Ephesians 6.13, which we will all face. Her husband made a mistake, he was reprimanded and punished for it, but she was not strong enough to face the desert. She felt wronged and asked to leave the Work of God. She stopped serving Jesus, left the Church, and fell into prostitution.

– Father Abraham, what about that bishop? I had an encounter with God during one of his meetings on Sunday; he was a true leader. Why is he in hell?

– He manifested his faith to heal, deliver and prosper, but he did not watch over his heart, which was taken by pride. He took the glory of God and kept it for himself. He started to think that he could have his ministry, and after a disagreement with the church leadership, he decided it was time to do things on his own. At first, it seemed like he was on the right track. Time passed, he lost what he had, but he did not lose his pride. He betrayed his wife and turned people against the work of the Holy Spirit, which was being done in the Church that lent him a hand when his life was in the mud. Until his time came, just like it will come for everyone, and he was not saved.

Sadly, they were all deceived by the devil, through an emotional and religious faith.

My friends, may the Holy Spirit have mercy on us, because Scripture clearly says:

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10.11-12

God bless you!