Think of situation where you have to repeat yourself over and over again. Maybe it is a request of a child. "I've asked you three times now. Please put that away and come to the table. It is dinner time!" It also possibly happens when sharing details to a situation, or when explaining reasons why the expected has not happened yet. Maybe it is in response to a relentless "Why?" Over and over, like a broken record, we hit play on the same message but it appears to be falling on deaf ears. We become frustrated and weary. Why won't they just listen! Sound familiar?
God knows exactly how we feel. Again and again throughout Scripture the Lord sent prophets to caution the people but they refused to listen. I fear very little has changed over the course of history. God persistently sent messengers thousands of years ago, and still today there are Pastors proclaiming truth, authors admonishing the message faithfully, missionaries making known the way of salvation, not to dismiss the effort of every Christ-follower whose calling it is to be the feet that bring good news. So why are so many walking around with fingers tightly in their ears?
Many people turn down the volume and completely zone out when announcements are repeated. Have you ever flown on an airplane? The poor attendant who shares the flight safety instructions, although physically having a captive audience, receives very little attention. It is no wonder that some airlines have gone to great lengths to enliven these instructions, using celebrities, musical jingles and other antics as no one wants to hear what to do in the face of potential disaster. They do not even want to consider the possibility of approaching doom. The thing is, most airplanes do not crash, but the warnings God issues again and again in scripture, and the way of rescue and escape are desperately needed as we will all encounter this end. Just as passengers on any flight should pay attention in order to save themselves should trouble arise, God has provided a way for all mankind to be saved.
We do not have prophets today, but we have God's Word and the Holy Spirit to instruct us. God also creatively uses a variety of means like music, other believers, circumstances, His still small voice, as well as dreams and visions to share His message. Scripture tells us that no one has an excuse. Romans 1:20 says, "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His visible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God." Even those who refuse to listen have eyes to see.
Although God will faithfully continue to deliver His message again and again until Christ's return, people still choose to ignore their need for a Saviour. Many of the lost do not recognize or acknowledge that they are sinners. Believing they can get to heaven by acts of goodness, they refuse to understand the perilous place they are in by deceiving themselves. Whatever the reason, those rejecting the message and refusing to listen will find themselves with disastrous eternal consequences.
If you are reading this and you have not responded to Christ's invitation of salvation, He has you here for a purpose. It is still not too late. God is exceptionally patient with mankind, desiring that none will perish (2 Peter 3:9), but Genesis 6:3 tells us that He will not tolerate the rebellion of human hearts forever. As kind, gracious, loving and tolerant as God is, He will not put up with sinful disobedience and rejection indefinitely. Jesus said in Luke 13:3, "you will perish too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God." Do not waste this "again moment". It is time to listen and respond.
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