Warnings

I watched a science fiction movie that had one bit of dialogue that stood out in my hearing. There was much evil in the land that came out in the night and the person said, the darkness never quits, so we must also continue, but in the light.

We are to warn those in the darkness who can receive and hear our message of new life in Christ Jesus. We are to warn the wicked and guide or nudge the fallen back into the right way and we are to stay in the light of God's love and truth.

The LORD speaks to the prophet Ezekial

Ezek 3:18 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.
Ezek 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

A prophet must share the message that God has given to him for a certain people; If not? their blood is on His hands. Wait a minute, does this apply to those in Christ? I ask, do we always obey the Holy Spirit? Do we warn those who are wicked, or do we just get angry with their crude comments? are we quick to remove them from our room? First, we are to warn them and tell them what will happen to them without Jesus, then we offer them the gospel hope of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. The order may be reversed; sharing Jesus and then warning them, but the important thing is to share the gospel message.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

In love have compassion, making a difference, perhaps they will respond to Jesus. Many are hurt, lost, filled them despair and darkness. These we are to be gentle with, loving them and leading them to the knowledge of the truth that in Jesus we are forgiven, made new, restored and made a son or daughter of God!

Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Some we must go after before they perish, even into the fire, out of love to bring them to salvation. Not loving their sin, but loving them and caring with great concern for them; for Jesus came with them on his heart. He gave his flesh and blood for them, so that they may be made alive in soul and spirit to dwell with Christ Jesus in heavenly places.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

There is no greater joy than to see someone come to Jesus and be saved.

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

We must walk in his love and in truth.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Sound doctrine is essential. Many may be saved by trusting in Jesus, but their doctrine may be off. We must be taught sound doctrine or we may be giving a false message. If part is false, then how will they know and trust the truth? Only by being in a cult that believes that they are the only truth can one live in truth and error. The Church is by faith in Jesus Christ. To be in fellowship with him and with one another, we must live and walk in truth.

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

We must Worship our LORD in Spirit and in truth.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

sound: free from any mixture of error

doctrine: teaching of God's truth

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Our words and our works reveal what we really believe. If we say we are his, but teach another gospel. It is up to those of discernment to correct such an one, in love. Now minor differences we may have to overlook, but the basic doctrines, with these we are to be in agreement.

Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

The Holy Spirit speaks that an elder man should show maturity of godly character.

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The older women likewise and it is important that they are be examples and teachers to the younger women, especially in keeping the family together. A good marriage is a testimony in a world of broken families. Do not allow your marriage and family to fall apart. Do not try to witness to others and neglect your own family; be accountable.

Titus 2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
Titus 2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.

The young are to keep themselves pure from the world and be good examples too.

Ezek 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ezek 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

We are not to condemn those who fall, being a stumbling block to them, but we are to restore them.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

1 Cor 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1 Cor 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1 Cor 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Pride, thinking we are something higher and exalted? No way, we cannot help anyone by being a Pharisee. An elder? yes, a fellow believer? yes; we must be careful towards them and avoid thinking of ourselves as better than they. If a brother is fallen, get down to where he is at, bind his wounds with sound words and lift him back up into the ranks of the Lord's army.

1 Cor 9:16 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!
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

This is important. We need to learn this in witnessing to the lost.

1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

We cannot win souls to the Lord, by being judges or Pharisees. We must relate to them where they are, remembering that we were once lost and without hope. I am talking to those who are not enemies of Christ. We do not give a wolf access to the body. We warn them and if they continue to fight we remove them.

2 Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Tim 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Tim 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.1 Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

In summary, we are debtors to all people, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We do not witness as Lords over them, but on their level, by love and sound doctrine. We protect the sheep from false teaching and dangerous predators who come to deceive and destroy. Be faithful, but do not get puffed up. To God be all glory and praise. Amen