Heed God's warnings

"But they did not listen or incline their ears to turn from their wickedness, so as not to turn to burn sacrifices to other gods. Therefore My wrath and My anger were poured out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so they have become a ruin and a desolation as it is to this day."
Jeremiah 44:5-6

The Lord is good and merciful to all. He warns those that are not His to turn to Him and He warns those that are His to continue turning to Him. But why? Because there are dreadful consequences for turning away.

For the unbeliever, the consequences are the full force of God's wrath. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." (Romans 1:18) I believe in the Biblical doctrine of sovereign election (Ephesians 1:4-6). However, no one can deny that there is a general call to men to repent (Isaiah 65:2, Acts 17:30). But the warnings will not last forever and one day all will be judged. As the unknown author writes, "[H]ow shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3a) If you are an unbeliever reading this, do not delay. Repent while you still have life. Do not wait another second. "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." (Hebrews 3:7b-8a) "Behold, now is 'the acceptable time', behold, now is 'the day of salvation'..." (2 Corinthians 6:2b)

However, there are also warnings for the believer. Now I am not saying that the believer is in danger of hell or losing their salvation. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Romans 5:1) "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) But God still gives us statutes to live by and there are consequences for ignoring them. David was a true believer, a true son of God, yet he sinned in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah. As a consequence, a child died and Uriah's family was devastated. God's commands are for our good. "The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." (Psalm 19:8) Do not ignore them. Our Father loves us and desires the best for us.

Whoever you are, believer or unbeliever, heed the warnings of God. The Holy Spirit uses the preaching of the gospel and the word of God to convict the hearts of men (John 16:8, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 6:17). Come to the Lord. He is mighty to save.

For Christ,
Daniel