Witness and Warn

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Revelation 20:15

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is a powerful sermon by Jonathan Edwards, delivered in 1741, that emphasizes the state of sinners and the wrath of God.  This sermon was preached during the First Great Awakening, a period of religious revival in the American colonies. Edwards, a prominent minister, aimed to awaken his congregation to the realities of the sin and the consequences of unrepentance. The sermon is considered one of the most famous examples of "fire and brimstone" preaching, characterized by vivid imagery and emotional appeals." Wikipedia

In 1978, there was a TV documentary called "Scared Straight." The subject of the documentary is a group of juvenile delinquents and their three-hour session with actual convicts.  It was filmed at Rahway State Prison, with a group of inmates known as the 'lifers.'  In this three-hour session, these inmates would berate, scream at and terrify the young offenders in an attempt to 'scare them straight,' so that those teenagers would avoid prison life.  Wikipedia

I remember watching this documentary.  I remember watching defiant teenagers walk into the prison, and scared teenagers walking out.

Reading the Gospels, Acts, Romans and reading what lies ahead in the book of Revelation, I saw how Jesus and His disciples would witness to the lost.  Truth spoken in love.  The love of God being spread abroad to draw the sinner to the Saviour.  Other times, it took the Holiness of God, His judgment, and the fear of future wrath to get the attention of the sinner.

Witnessing turned to Warning.

I had the opportunity to witness to two life-long Catholics yesterday.  The peace and Liberty God gave me to answer their questions, and to show them that salvation comes through Jesus Christ and Grace, NOT Mary and works, was an eye-opener to them.  I believe I saw a little fear in their eyes.

Sometimes it takes fear to identify Truth.

What will it take for you, Lost Friend, to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Will it be His love for you, or the reality of future wrath?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Ephesians 2:8

Whether you are drawn by the love of God...

    or whether it takes the fear of eternal torment to recognize your need for the Saviour...

        I pray you will turn from your sin and turn to Christ for salvation...

            But that's just me!