The Danger of Neglecting Timely Warnings

AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

Chapter 27

Verses 9-11:

“Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”

NEGLECTING a timely warning can be a costly mistake. The Bible has many warnings about the dangers of sin. These warnings are just as relevant today as they were when they were written. “For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not” (Job 33:14). To neglect the warnings found in the Bible regarding sin is to daringly invite “hurt and much damage” to come upon you in one way or another. And if you continue to disregard its warnings you will everlastingly regret your foolishness in the end (Rev. 20:11-15).

 Verses 14-15

“But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.”

Storms (battles) of all types will come in life, some of them most violently. They will cause you to understand that you are a truly helpless and finite being. With JESUS however, there is safety in every storm (Mk. 4:37-41). He alone can bring peace to your heart when the storm comes. May you find Him now!

Verses 18-19

“And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.”

When you neglect the warnings of God you will lose many things in life that you might have retained. Matthew 7:24-27 describes two types of builders. The foolish builder lost everything when the storm hit, but the wise builder preserved his goods because he built on a solid foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). Has the storm hit you yet? If not, it will!

Verse 20

“And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

The Bible speaks of those who have no real hope in life because they do not have God in their lives (Eph. 2:12). Only God, through Jesus, can give you real hope, both in this life, and in the life to come. If you die in your sins you will go to a place where hope will never be found. You will be paid the wages of sin, which is eternal death (Rom. 6:23). Eternal death means eternal punishment for your sins. The tempest of God’s judgment will surely come upon you if you neglect to heed His timely warnings and die in your sins. Those who “sow the wind” (spiritually speaking) will “reap the whirlwind” of God’s judgment (Hos. 8:7a; Jer. 30:23). “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Ask God to forgive your sins in the name of JESUS CHRIST. You can be forgiven now. The eternal storm is coming!

Verses 21-25

“But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”

Reader, you will find that the promises of the Bible are true! Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved (Acts 16:29-31)! Jesus died to take away all your sins (John 1:29). “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Repent (stop all wrongdoing) and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Lord and Savior. You will be spiritually born of God’s Holy Spirit and will find that this newness of life will be even as the Bible has said it would be. By His grace you can survive the storms of life! – The Christian Hope

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