Am I Become Your Enemy?

By Larry Pasley

    Boudreaux and Thibodaux were both standing by the road, pounding a sign into the ground,  that read:

'Da End is Near

 Turn Yo Sef 'Roun Now

 Afore It Be Too Late!'

    As a car sped past them, the driver leaned out his window  and yelled, 

    'You religious nuts!'

    From the curve they heard screeching tires, and a big splash...Boudreaux turns to Thibodaux and  asks,

    'Do ya tink maybe da sign should  jussay.....'Bridge Out?'

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    Why is it that people get angry with us when we try to warn them against their actions which will lead them to an eternity in hell?

    The apostle Paul warned the Galatians about going back to the Law of Moses. He anticipated their rejection of his admonitions and said to them, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16 

    Ezekiel was told to warn those who were in error, “When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19  Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 20  Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21  Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul." Ezekiel 3:18-21

    Paul tells us that we have a responsibility to those in sin in Galatians 6:1  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

    James also tells us we save a sinner’s soul from death in James 5:19-20  Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

    Jude even says we can even save some from the fire. Jude 1:22-23  And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23  but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

    Judgment day is coming. Romans 2:6-8  who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7  eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8  but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,

    So, when I or someone else tries to warn you of error in your life, please do not consider us as your enemy but rather as your friend who loves you and wants you to be saved from the fires of hell and be eternally in heaven with God.

    May we all strive to enter in that narrow gate and appreciate those who want to help us get there.

- Larry Pasley serves as a minister with the Jackson Street Church of Christ in Alexandria, LA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.JacksonStAlex.com