Warn People Immediately

Scripture:

Ezekiel 3:17

... Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 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. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.

Observation:

The Lord gave Ezekiel many messages for the people of Israel, in the beginning of verse 17 he was even referred to as a "watchman" for Israel. This scripture is pretty straight forward, the Lord expects a prophet to repeat His messages for His people. The life of a prophet must have been very difficult because it seems like the people of Israel never wanted to listen. The message that the Lord gave always seemed to be the same: continue in your sinful ways, and die, or, repent and turn to God and live. 

Application:

Not much has changed in all these years since Ezekiel's time. We are called to share a message with the people of the world. The message hasn't even changed that much. Jesus called all men to repent and follow Him and receive eternal life, but Jesus also warned that if you continue in your sins, you will have eternal suffering in the lake of fire. For all who repent the message is Good News, but for those who reject the message it is very bad news. There are times that I am tempted to soften the message, just a little, to make it more acceptable to the unbeliever, but just like God clearly warned Ezekiel, I'm suppose to share the message he gave me.

Mark 1:15

"The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"

Acts 20:20-21

I have never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like telling people about Jesus is doing no good, sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my breath. You commanded me to go and share the Gospel with all creatures, I pray that you would make the seed grow, I pray that I would be bold in telling people about Jesus. I pray that I would not shrink back from warning people about the day that is coming, the Gospel is a wonderful message of love, I pray that I would be an ambassador of your love. In Jesus name, Amen!