Repeat It!

The Gospel, according to the New Testament, is a herald; it is like a man with a trumpet who is calling people to listen. There is nothing tentative about what he has to say; something has been delivered to him, and his business is to repeat it. – Charles H. Spurgeon

Unlike a heralding trumpet as Spurgeon illustrates, majority of today’s Christians have made an art form out of bypassing certain areas of Scripture. Rather than proclaiming “every” part of God’s Word, they dissect it very carefully keeping a close eye on what not to say.

This ear tickling delivery of of God’s Word has been influencing so many professing Christians throughout history that “to warn” of sin and falsehood has become irrelevant in witnessing and preaching. Although direct and eager to proclaim God’s miracles, love, kindness, and forgiveness, they become extremely tentative to speak of wrath, judgement, sin, falsehood, Hell and the consequences of a rebellious lifestyle.

Sadly many of us have become quick to proclaim our love for God, but are uncertain to “repeat” His Words.

However, the Book of Ezekiel gives a clear illustration regarding those who refuse to warn unbelievers, as well as believers of the consequences of Sin.

” (IF) YOU DO NOT WARN THEM or SPEAK OUT to DISSUADE them from their evil ways in order to SAVE THEIR LIFE…I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BLOOD.” (In Context: Ezekial 3:17-19)

The Lord goes on to say: “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since YOU DID NOT WARN THEM, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BLOOD. But if you DO WARN the righteous person NOT TO SIN and they do not sin, they will surely LIVE because they TOOK WARNING, and you will have SAVED YOURSELF.” (Ezekial 3:20-21)

He doesn’t stop there, He continues to say: “But if the watchman SEES THE SWORD COMING and DOES NOT BLOW THE TRUMPET TO WARN THE PEOPLE and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I WILL HOLD THE WATCHMAN ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BLOOD…HEAR THE WORD I SPEAK and GIVE THEM WARNING FROM ME.“  (In context: Ezekial 33:6-8)

Some may say this is an Old Testament teaching, however if you truly read the New Testament you would know that the practice of warning people of their sin was something done by everyone who followed Christ.

The late J.C. Ryle once said:

“If I thought that as a matter of course all people would go to heaven at last, I would be quiet and leave them alone. But I dare not do so. I see danger ahead, and I would sincerely warn every man to flee from the wrath to come. I see peril of shipwreck, and I would light a beacon and entreat every man to seek the harbor of safety…”

I could never understand why a Christian who has been saved from their sins would hide the truth and refuse to warn people of the consequences of a sinful lifestyle. Our warning should be like a trumpet that blows continually in the ears of the rebellious, superficial, and the lost, repeating over and over all areas of scripture whether it offends or not. Will it push them away? Absolutely. Will it make them feel uncomfortable? Definitely. But ask yourself, what’s more important the approval of men or of God? Besides, when God moves that sinner to repentance you can rejoice knowing that “…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) “…teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:20) “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

Does it say to Preach “some” of the gospel, teach them to obey “some things” and Preach “certain areas” of the Word? Of course not. Every area of God’s Word is significant and our duty as Christians is to Repeat It!

“ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Think About It.