Dangerous
Here in Los Angeles all places that
serve food are inspected by the health authorities for
things like cleanliness and the temperature at which
food is stored. They are then graded on a scale from “A”
(More than 90%) to “C” (Less than 80%). The rating is
posted in the window of the eatery and is very large for
all to see. When I first arrived here I was advised not
to eat in places with a “C” as it may be risky.
Well, today my
barber told me he contracted food poisoning. So I asked
him how it happened. He told me that he had bought his
breakfast from a particular establishment which had a
“C” rating. I then asked him why he did that when there
were so many other options. His reply was that the food
tasted good and he had been going there for a while
without any problems. Would he go back there again?
Never was his adamant but somewhat weak reply.
In spite of Jay’s
experience and many others like him such places will
stay in business simply because people do not take the
warning in the window seriously. It really beats me why
anyone would want to eat at such a place when there are
so many other alternatives. But then, it is exactly the
same with what the Devil offers people by way of sin.
The Bible warns that “the wages of sin is death”
(Romans 6:23) and yet millions will partake of it simply
because they do not believe the warning and because they
got away with it until now.
This reminds me of
Samson who played ever closer to the precipice until he
fell over the edge and then was surprised at the result.
Yes, he was a hero in the end but what a pitiful way to
live the last years of his life, mindlessly walking in
circles around the millstone grinding corn. Just think
how great a man he could have been had he just heeded
the warnings of the Lord.
A scene that
replays itself over and over is the young girl who falls
pregnant and is totally surprised (and devastated) that
this could have happened to her. This, in spite of,
endless warnings from parents, teachers and sex
education on every street corner. “Oh, but I did not
think it would happen to me” is the stock response.
The same
happens with sin. People dabble in materialism, alcohol,
drugs, sex, pride, greed, friendship with the world and
every other thing, that the Word warns against, with the
naïve notion that they will not get stung. But Solomon
says: "Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his
clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, And
his feet not be seared? " (Proverbs 6:27-28). That
seems such obvious advice, yet every day millions of
people play with fire and are surprised when they get
burnt. James says that "…each one is tempted when he
is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when
desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be
deceived, my beloved brethren." (James 1:14-16)
It will be a
while before Jay tries a “C” rated restaurant again, yet
every day Christians are burnt by sin and turn right
around and return to the very thing that hurt them a few
days or hours before. It just seems to be human nature
not to learn, often till it is too late. California has a “three strike” law which says
that if you commit a third felony, you automatically get
a life sentence. One would imagine that people who
already have two strikes would stay as far away from
crime as possible, but no, they don’t and then feel
discriminated against when they face living out the rest
of their lives behind bars!
How many times
has the Lord not warned you about some sinful pursuit
which you will not let go? Do you really think that all
the times you have gotten away with disobedience has
made you immune to the consequences of sin? In fact, the
exact opposite. Continuing in sin does not make us
immune to it, but rather, makes it harder for us to hear
the voice of the Spirit, pleading with us to turn
around. “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not
harden your hearts.”" (Hebrews 3:7, 3:15, 4:7)
The Lord’s
warnings are not a cry of “wolf, wolf”, they are genuine
warnings of real dangers. Once again He pleads with you
"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear
to my sayings." (Proverbs 4:20). Once again the
appeal goes out: “Repent – turn around, the way you are
on is the way to destruction” Please listen to Him
today. Stop doing that which will destroy your life,
relationships, health and your ability to fulfill the
call of God on your life. God is not a killjoy who
simply wants to spoil our fun. He knows the hidden
dangers of the things we are often attracted to and
because He loves us, does not want to see us get hurt.
Maybe you have
ignored his warnings a hundred times before and nothing
has happened. Don’t take another chance, this may be the
one that will destroy that which is most precious to
you. Why play Russian Roulette with a revolver that has
a bullet in every chamber but one? Is it really worth
the risk? The hammer may have fallen on the blank
chamber every time up to now, but are you guaranteed to
get away with it one more time? I don’t think so.
"when he
(the watchman) sees the sword coming upon the land, if
he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever
hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take
warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his
blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of
the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall
be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his
life." (Ezekiel 33:3-5)
Anton
Bosch
antonbosch@sbcglobal.net
www.abcd.co.za/offi
www.abcd.co.za/plumbline
Tel 818 846 5520
Fax 818 846 4357
3310 West
Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, California
91505-2907
USA