The devastation is incredible. As the news reports come flowing in and pictures are shown, I am struck with the awesome destructive power of the F5 tornado. A few weeks after the Hoisington tornado, I toured the area of destruction. Also, a couple of months after hurricane Katrina I walked the beaches where the devastating hurricane made landfall. In both of those instances, I was truly amazed, humbled, and awestruck by the severe devastation. However, in both of those cases, there were parts of town which were left standing. There were places to regroup and plan strategies to rebuild. However, the Greensburg devastation is so total. My heart grieves for the people of that city and the many more Kansans who were affected by many powerful storms last week. I still believe God is in complete control. I know He offers comfort to each person who has cried even one tear of loss and pain this week. I have complete assurance that He cares about each of those people more than we can ever imagine (for more on suffering see my Thoughts on West Virginia). As I look back on the ominous evening of destruction in Kansas, I am reminded of a great truth the body of Christ needs to always be mindful of: Advance warning can be very effective and life saving.
As reports keep streaming in, there is one great story of the work of the National Weather Service in Dodge City. Approximately 20 minutes before the tornado unmercifully entered the city limits of Greensburg, a NWS weather man issued a rare Tornado Emergency bulletin. It is believed that bulletin alone saved countless lives. A single warning of impending doom truly was instrumental in saving lives. As I reflected upon that amazing story, I was reminded of the importance of the body of Christ in warning people of impending judgment and doom. I believe one of the great mandates of the church is to be about the business of warning people of certain divine judgment.
The prophet Ezekiel was called to be a watchman for the house of Israel. In chapter 3 verse 17, he is commanded to warn the people. In the Hebrew, the word “warn” has the idea “to teach, to warn, to shine, to send out light.” The prophet was told to teach, to warn, and to shine the words God gives him. God goes on to tell the prophet,
Ezekiel 3:18-19
18 When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. (see also 33:7-9).
Ezekiel was commanded to warn the people. In fact, God says if he did the blood of the guilty would not be upon him. However, if he failed to warn the people, the blood of the people would be upon him. Could you imagine what would have happened if it came out that the NWS knew a F5 tornado was making a beeline toward Greensburg yet failed to give out a warning? It would have been unconscionable, irresponsible, and deadly. They would have come under great scrutiny. People would have lost their lives for their costly mistake and someone would have lost their job. The question for the body of Christ is very simple: Could you imagine knowing of the impending doom, destruction, and judgment of God and not telling anyone? Our not warning people of the judgment of God is unconscionable, irresponsible, and deadly. No matter your eschatological views, most Christians would agree that everyone must face God in judgment. “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). When was the last time you warned someone of their future? When was the last time your church became busy and concerned over the souls of people? We have been called to be a watchman for God and to warn the people of God’s plans. We must take this mandate serious and get busy in the business of shinning Christ, warn people of the impending destruction, and teach them of God’s grace and mercy.
What do we tell people? Ezekiel was told to tell them, “As surely as I live … I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). As we warn people, we need to tell them five basic truths: The problem, the penalty, the pardon, the promise and the purpose.
First, we must remind them of the problem of sin. We are all sinners (Roman 3:2). Each and every one of us has fallen short of God’s glory. Once we tell them of the problem of sin, we must remind them that the penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because we have sinned, we deserve to die. But the good news is that Jesus Christ has paid the pardon for our sin (1 John 2:2). Instead of you and me dying, Jesus Christ died for us. The promise of God is simple: if we only repent of our sins, believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will be saved. In repentance, there will be a change of life and direction. Our conduct and character will be different and we will be able to enjoy times of refreshing (Acts 3:19). Finally, as a person becomes convicted of their sin, as they understand the penalty they deserve, as they believe in the pardon Christ gives, and as they accept the promise, then and only then are they able to live for the purpose and plan God has for their lives. God has an incredible plan and purpose for our lives. It is only has we join ourselves in faith to Christ that we can begin to realize God’s amazing plan for our lives.
Body of Christ, let us get busy in warning people. We are the instruments God has chosen to get His good news to a lost and dying world. Let us make sure that the blood of others will not be upon us. By all means, do not be guilty of the sin of silence. I have praised God many times over the last few days on the timely tornado emergency given to the people of Greensburg. There can be no doubt of the number of people that saved. Let us learn the lesson well and be about the business of warning everyone around us. There is time left for us to act. Someday it will be too late – but not yet! Warn the people. Tell them of the hope and salvation God has offered each of us through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
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