Advisory Warning

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You know everything has to have a warning on it these days. Cigarettes, advertisements for mortgages – if you do not keep up payments, etc. We are aways being warned about the weather or given content warnings by TV and radio stations. Whenever there will be flashing lights they like to warn you too.

We always need to issue a warning when we declare the gospel. We cannot simply say, come to Christ and all will be well. No, we say come to Christ but realise it may cost more than you bargained on. It is going to cost you everything.

Warnings and ignoring them

I remember how when I was a student they told us that the fall off rate for students who attend Christian Unions is over 50% in five years. I thought "Well, I won't be like that - nor will my friends". However, although I am still a Christian all these years later, as are many of my friends, I would guess that figure is about accurate.

I have often read how common it is for ministers to leave the ministry before they are five years into ministry. You tell yourself - not me, not me. However, such warnings are there to be heeded as are the warnings found in the Bible against falling away.

Warnings

Warnings are important. These days, practically everything you buy in a shop carries some kind of warning. The warnings on some can seem a little ridiculous.

For example, I am always surprised when you buy things that need to be kept dry and they contain packets of silica gel on which it says "Do not eat". As if you would open a new camera, say, and then eat the silica gel packets round it. There are others - Sainsbury’s peanuts: ‘Warning – Contains nuts’ Sleeping pills: ‘Warning – May cause drowsiness’ Superman outfit - Does not enable wearer to fly. On a household DIY drill: ‘Not intended for use as a dentist drill'.

It is too easy to start ignoring warnings. When God warns us we must listen.