"If I warn the wicked, saying, 'You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths." Ezekiel 3:18
My friend and I had the pleasure of running a half marathon Saturday night. Appropriately named "harder than hell", this race lived up to its description with its mile plus long hills and winding narrow terrain. Adding to the challenge of skillfully moving through the course with only a headlamp was the threat of traffic (it wasn't a closed course). With very little shoulder in which to avoid that danger, it was nice to hear the runners warning one another. I could hear it passing through the ranks, "Car!" getting louder as each runner shouted the warning to the one in front of them until the last runner was warned. And, by hearing, heeding and passing it on, every runner made it safely to the finish line.
It's always nice to be warned of impending danger isn't it? But would you take the time to warn someone you knew wouldn't listen? That was just the situation the prophet Ezekiel faced. God had already told him that the people wouldn't listen but He wanted the people to know that they had been warned anyway. Ezekiel's job, like ours, wasn't to question but to obey. You see we are responsible to tell others about God's judgement and his message of salvation, even those we don't think will listen. And while we aren't responsible for the way a person will react to our words, we will be responsible for remaining silent... for not passing on the warning.
So what will you do today? Will you warn others of the danger of not following Jesus Christ? Or will you simply remain silent and hope someone else does? The choice is yours. Won't you choose to pass it on?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that is so clear to tell us that it is our responsibility as followers to issue the warning to nonbelievers that they might choose to follow you and be saved. Help us Lord to recognize that the danger is real-people are dying every day left wishing they would have been warned. May we choose to be bold and pass it on today. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Tell the world - Hillsong United
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