“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.”
–Proverbs 9:6
A saying common to these parts is “You can’t warn the deceived: they are deceived.”
This QUITE OFTEN provokes the question: “Then why try?”
Which is NOT a bad question–at least on the surface.
There are TWO parts to the answer.
THE FUTILITY
God’s Word is not bashful about pointing out the futility of trying to “talk sense” to the foolish (who are also called “wicked” and “evil.”).
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
–Proverbs 23:9
“A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
–Proverbs 15:5
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
–Proverbs 12:15
THE COMMANDS
Against the truth of God’s Word declaring the fool will not listen to reason are the various COMMANDS to preach to the lost; preach the gospel; and, otherwise warn the deceived ANYWAY.
“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
–James 5:20
[Just so there are no misunderstandings, James is referring to the sins of the former sinner, NOT the one who “converteth the sinner.”]
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
–Proverbs 11:30
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
–Mark 16:14-15
SO, against the seeming FUTILITY of warning the deceived is the COMMAND to do it anyway.
IF the believer was NOT a believer, he most likely would avoid warning the deceived. After all, the numbers just aren’t in his favor.
IF the believer was NOT a believer, he most likely would save himself the trouble, the aggravation and the frustration which is the usual fruit of trying to warn the lost.
BUT, because the believer IS a believer, he KNOWS that God will save a few of the deceived–and the believer does NOT want to be an obstacle to be overcome in this process.
And so, the believer–KNOWING the futility of trying to warn the deceived–undertakes the task ANYWAY.
The believer KNOWS–regardless of what the rest of the world may mistakenly believe–that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
–Romans 1:16
Also, if anyone knows, the believer does: the end times are NOT a time to be disobedient to a God one KNOWS possesses UNLIMITED POWER and who DEFINITELY exists.
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: May 28-30, 2021.]
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
MORE
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR/Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.com/ETPR
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