One summer afternoon, a duchess gave a garden party at her mansion near London. Detectives were hired to safeguard the house and guests, many of whom wore valuable jewelry.
The detectives were all men of good appearance, men who would pass without remark among the guests. Furthermore, they were trained to know by sight all the nobility and others likely to be present.
During the course of the afternoon they spotted a guest unknown to them; he was a man with a suspicious manner. Approaching him, they asked politely to see his invitation. Since he did not have the official card, he was asked if he knew the Duchess. He assured the detectives that he knew her very well.
“In that case the Duchess will surely know you,” they replied. “Come this way, and we will see.”
The unhappy man was forced to go and soon found himself in the presence of the Duchess. A detective asked, “Does your Grace know this gentleman?”
She looked carefully at him, and replied that she was not acquainted with him.
At that, rough hands were laid on the pretender and he was unceremoniously ejected. He was found out and turned out.
Why do we tell this story? Because the day is surely coming when many an unconverted choir singer, many an unsaved Sunday school teacher, and many an unregenerate partaker of the Lord’s supper will likewise be found out and turned out.
Do you know the Lord? Yes, replies many a thoughtless professor of “religion.” But do you really know the Lord? If you do, then the Lord will know you, for “He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)).
The Lord Jesus urges us to “strive to enter in at the strait gate.” It is too narrow for anything but reality.
Soon the Master will rise up and shut the door. To those outside who will cry for admittance, how sad will be the Lord’s answer: “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniQuity.”
Come to the Lord now. Come as you are. You are invited, and He will receive you. He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
The door is still open. COME!