Warning
-
Just north of England in 1881 there was a horrible storm that hit that part of the country. The fishermen of that area had not been able to fish for almost a week due to the heavy storms that had hit the area. However, one day they looked out and the sky was blue and it seemed as if the storm had passed. They all prepared their boats and gear and set out to fish. Before they left the harbor, the harbor master had hoisted up the storm signal. He warned them that the storm was not over and begged them not to set sail, but they had already missed a week of work and they saw no storm in sight, so they set sail. 41 boats left that day with 5-6 men on each boat. Within a few hours of their departure the sky began to turn dark, the wind began to blow, and the fishermen realized that they had made a mistake. However it was too late. Of the 200 or so men that set sail that day, only a few survived.
This was a tragic, senseless story. There was no need for this to happen. The harbor master had been around long enough to know that the danger was not over and he gave a clear warning to the fishermen, but the fishermen didn’t listen to the warning. Yet many times the same is true in our spiritual lives as well. The Bible gives warning after warning telling of coming judgment yet many still continue living their lives as if God doesn’t exist. Many that believe in God and His word still don’t listen to the warnings in His word.
Why are these warnings ignored? I believe that many times people feel that because they don’t physically see God that He is not real to them. While others believe in God, they fail to trust the warnings that He has given in His word regarding eternity and coming judgment. They believe in God, put their view of God is that He is too “loving” to condemn someone for eternity. Yet this idea completely overlooks the fact that while God is a loving God, He is also a just God. Then there are others who believe in God and in the warnings of His word, but they also believe that they have plenty of time to change their lives before they stand before God in judgment. The eternity of hell will be filled with many people who believed God’s warnings and planned to change at some point, but never did.
The warning of coming judgment is plain and clear. It applies to us just as it will to every man that walks on this earth. Romans 2:2-11 says, "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. [3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? [4] Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: [7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; [10] But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: [11] For there is no respect of persons with God."
God has been longsuffering with us allowing us the time that we have had to change, to follow Him, to live right. Yet many have grown comfortable in God’s longsuffering and feel like they have all of the time in the world. There will come a day in which He will judge the world (Acts 17:31). In that day, the longsuffering and patience of God will come to an end and each and every one of us will answer to the justice of God. The warnings given in His word are plain and clear. Will we heed the warnings God has given, or will we stand before Him in judgment wishing that we had listened to His warnings?
