In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

Luke 16:23-24

The rich man in the parable not only believed he was greater than the poor Lazarus, he went on believing it even as he suffered in torment. The realization didn’t ever come for his unrepentant heart; he didn’t ask Abraham to bring him to Abraham’s side, but he asked Abraham to send Lazarus to ease his suffering.

Jesus said that at judgement many people will still say “Lord, Lord” thinking that they were good enough on their own (Matthew 7). They will go into damnation thinking they were justified. You can be humble enough for heaven, and we should put every effort to be. The alternative is to be proud in hell.

Ethan Kirl