God lifts the balances tonight. The judgment day is coming. Every day is a day of judgment. We are this moment being canvassed, inspected, weighed.
But do not let us all get on the scales at once. We will take one at a time. Who will get on first? Here is a volunteer. He is a moralist-as upright a man as there is in Brooklyn. Get in, Brother.
What is it that you have with you in that bundle? He says, "It is my reputation for morality and uprightness and integrity." Leave that behind. It is not fair that you carry a bundle with you. We just want to measure you.
Have you slandered your neighbors? You say, "Never have I slandered them." What outrages have you committed against society? You say, "None." So far, so good.
Have your thoughts always been right? You answer, "No." I put down one mark against you.
Have you served God as you ought? "No." Another mark against you.
Have you loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all your soul? "No." Another mark against you.
Come now, be frank. Have you not, in ten thousand things, come short of your duty? "Yes." Then I put down ten thousand marks against you.
Bring me a larger book in which I may make record of your deficits and neglects. Do not jump out of the scales until I have examined them.
You stand on one side, with all your kindnesses and charities and conciliations of behavior. On the other side I put this one weight, "By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified." Down goes the weight; up go your good works. Weighed in the balance, and found wanting!