The rotten plank!

(John Angell James, "Christian Hope" 1859)

Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter
the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will
of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on
that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name,
and in Your name drive out demons and perform many
miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew
you. Away from Me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:21-23.

These dreadful words should sound through the whole church
with the solemnity and impressiveness of an alarm bell. What
a salutary fear and trembling they should awaken! To what a
close and anxious examination they should lead!

Mistaken professors are going by myriads to the bottomless
pit! Myriads and myriads are walking to eternity over the rotten
plank of a 'formal and insincere profession', which will break
beneath their feet and let them fall into the burning gulf below!

I will never cease to sound the note of warning to these deluded
professors. For not only is it a dreadful thing to go down to the
pit with a lying profession, but a possible thing! Not only is it a
possible case, but a common one! "MANY will say to Me on
that day!"