As the tree falls–so must it lie!

As the tree falls–so must it lie!

(J. R. Miller, “Devotional Hours with the Bible” 1909)

“Let him who does wrong–continue to do wrong; let him who is vile–continue to be vile” Revelation 22:11

The character with which men reach the final judgment–will be their permanent character forever. The man who lives in sin unto the end–is making his own destiny. Habits of sin–make the whole life sinful. It is this that gives such solemnity to life. The seeds of our future eternity–lie in our present.
   
   Sow a thought–and you will reap an act;
   sow an act–and you will reap a habit;
   sow a habit–and you will reap a character;
   sow character–and you will reap a destiny!

Everyone goes to his own place–that is, the place for which he is fitted by his life on the earth. He who has always sinned here on earth–will continue to sin forever. Eternal death–is simply eternal sin, along with the punishments and consequences thereof. The punishment of the wicked will not be an arbitrary punishment–but the natural result of their own choices and acts in this life.

   As the tree falls–so must it lie; 
   As the man lives–so must he die! 
   As a man dies–such must he be;
   All through the ages of eternity!

It makes a great difference, therefore, how we live in this world. There is an false impression in some people’s minds, that they can live in sin all their days, and then by a few tears of penitence and a cry for mercy in a dying hour–can change all the course of their life and spend eternity in Heaven. This verse does not favor such a view. The future life–is but the harvest of this present life.

Men will be judged by their deeds. The New Testament everywhere teaches the same solemn truth. This does not mean that salvation is by works. We are saved by grace–but grace changes the life and makes us holy.

“To die is gain”–only to those who can sincerely say, “To me, to live is Christ!”