“When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.” (Ezekiel 3:18-19) 

This was the guidance spoken to Ezekiel and it is appropriate today. There are different messages for different people. We share deeply and fully with our family, but among strangers and evil people we do not cast our pearls of God’s loving grace. (Matt. 7:6) Before we begin to understand the complexities of algebra or trigonometry we must grasp basic Arithmetic. Before we begin to build a house we must master basic elements of carpentry and construction. Before the infidel understands grace, they must accept that God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Likewise, an unbeliever must understand their need of God, wrath upon sin/rebellion, and the reality of Hell. The enemy knows this, suggesting Hell is a myth, God as impotent, unjust and too loving to allow anyone to go to Hell, if it was real. 

Today, our culture is weak and seeks to placate rebellion, endure disrespect, overlook lawlessness, and negotiate, rather than lead, serve, and discipline. We can see this in parenting, politicians, social mores, and many leaders in spheres of religion, business, and education. True leaders chose what is right and best over what is expedient and best for themselves. Parents who coddle their children, tolerate misbehavior and disrespect produce brats who are unhappy and selfish. Politicians who fail to take a stand against flawed unprincipled policy pass on misery and trouble to future generations. Preachers who fail to share the full word of God because it may offend some have chosen their own way over God’s. Paul preached obediently and unselfishly, “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:20-27) We may get more people to like us if we tell them what they want to hear, but our duty to God is to love those heading to Hell with a stern, clear warning.