“And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” (Gen. 6:3)
That’s how long it took eight people to build an ark, it has nothing to do with the length of life for human beings. The heart of man was only evil continually, and nothing has changed in this regard.
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1st John 5:19)
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)
Informing people that in the eyes of the Almighty they are wicked and that His wrath is abiding on them is generally not a wise way to initiate a conversation with them, but, and if they decide to leave your company, it is something that must be said to them.
Revealing the truth of God’s love is usually quite simple, especially to the downtrodden and sick in heart, they want encouraging news, they want to know they are loved and can be loved throughout all eternity, but the warnings of not heeding the call are just as important as the benefits offered to those who do.
And my friends, we are under an obligation to our King to do so.
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” (Eze. 3:18)
I do not know exactly what that verse means, I personally do not believe anyone does, but I do know a warning when I hear one.
Whether they are acquaintances, friends or family members that you speak with nearly every day, or the unexpected meeting that turns into a conversation with a stranger, we are sent as ambassadors of the Most High with a message, and if we do not make it plain who we serve and why, why we are speaking to them about Him, the salvation offered by grace through faith, and the consequences of their decision if they reject the truths offered, in some way, shape or form, on our day of accounting their blood, if they die in their sins, we will be accountable for.
This does not mean that we can save them, only the Almighty can do that, but it does mean we are to speak to them. It is not in addition to Matthew 5:16. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” but part of, almost symbiotic one could say.
Professing Christ with our lips and living our lives for His glory, they go hand in hand. No one can say that they have been born-again who does not speak to others of the One they claim to serve, 1st Corinthians 9:16 was not just for Paul.
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
That word “preach” does not mean a twenty-minute sermon prepared for Sunday morning by one who has been accredited by a seminary school to stand behind a pulpit. It has nothing to do with first teaching the youngest in a Bible study, graduating to being a deacon, then an elder.
It means you if you are hid in Christ.
The classwork is the Word of God, your teacher is the Holy Spirit, His assistants are those who are far past the milk of the Word and have become, by His grace and mercy, masters. Even the newest student can repeat the words of eternal life to the uninitiated, to the lost. On day one, the day your burden was removed at the cross, you have a testimony, limited of course, but you now have the truth of John 7:38 within you.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
And you know full well what would have happened to you if you would have died in your sins, you can tell them that as well.
The message has never changed.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
It is never wise or prudent to open with the truth of eternal damnation to those we speak to, but if you do not want to be accountable for their blood if they die in their sins, it is something that must never be left out of the conversation.
