Recently, I was called upon to conduct the funeral service of a brother whom I had known for some thirty-five years. He truly loved the Lord and was a valuable asset to the congregation where he served. Many people had good things to say about him. However, one of the most common things that was expressed was, "He was there every time the door was opened." Of course, this referred to his attendance at the services of the church. He never missed a service unless he was physically unable to do so. Even then he was often present when it required extreme effort to walk into the building with help from others. Such was the kind of person he was. He loved the singing and praying and the preaching. I never preached to anyone who was more receptive and more interested than he.

I have conducted services for people who were in their nineties. Sometimes, it would again be said, "She was there every time the door was opened." What a beautiful way of saying that the person loved the Lord and loved to worship Him.

On the other side of the coin is another expression. "He never darkened the door." This is saying that the person had no interest in God and His church or in what is right and wrong. He lived for himself rather than for the Lord. How sad to conduct a funeral service for such a one as this.

Then there are those who are somewhat in between these two statements. There are those who attend whenever they are in the "mood." If something else comes up that is more interesting, then "forget about the Bible study, worship and preaching." These are the kind of "on-again-off again" church members. They are the ones who get upset if the least little ripple occurs in their lives. They are still babes even though they have been members long enough to be mature (see Hebrews 5:12-14).

All of us fall somewhere on this scale. We are either those who are there "every time the door is opened" or those "who never darken the doorway" or else somewhere in between. Where are you?

Two Sobering Facts: Death And Judgment

Let us face two unalterable facts. They are stated in Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." You are going to die and nothing can alter that fact. When you die you will probably have a funeral. Someone will stand before your family and friends and speak some words about you. Will he say, "This person was at services every time the door was opened"? Is that what your friends will say? Or will the preacher have to mumble some words about you that do not convey wholehearted dedication to the Lord? You determine this by your life.

The second great fact is the judgment. You will stand before the Lord in judgment. This is expressed well by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." Will the Lord look at your record and say, "You were there every time the door was opened"? Will He say, "You never darkened the door"? Or will He shake His head and say, "You were lukewarm. You were neither cold nor hot. I wish you had been either cold or hot. But because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth!" How tragic to hear these last words. Remember, you determine what will be said at your funeral. But more importantly, you determine what the Lord will say on the day of judgment.

A Matter Of Commitment And Dedication

I could shout until my voice is numb about the need of attendance and faithfulness in worship and Bible classes, but it will not matter until a person himself makes a full commitment to the Lord. As a preacher, I am concerned about the salvation of every member of this congregation as well as those who are yet in the world. I must admit that there are times when I get very discouraged when I know members who could do so much better than they choose to do. However, I cannot make decisions for other members. Each one must stand on his own ground. I deeply fear that there are some whose names on the membership roll that will not make it to Heaven. I am not the judge for which I am deeply grateful. But please remember that God looks at your heart. He sees you as you really are. His judgment will be righteous and just (Rom. 2:5; 2 Thes. 1:6).