Heed the Warning
I’m presently reading a book about the Johnstown flood that took place in 1889. It happened in Pennsylvania. Over 2,200 people died in that flood, and it could have been avoided. An earthen dam had been built above this town, and an exclusive summer resort was built that very prominent people attended. It was a private dam.
The thing that to me that was interesting is they were warned that there was a problem with the dam. It was reported to the officials, but it was not considered a serious threat by the owners of the dam. During some torrential rains, it became swollen, and the result was loss of lives, others were injured, and property was lost.
The part of the book that is interesting to me is that they were warned this dam was not stable but ignored it. And as I thought about this, I thought about how many times throughout the ages God has warned people, but they continue to ignore His warnings.
Moses warned the Israelites if they did not obey the Lord, various curses would come upon them. Read Deuteronomy 28, and see the words he spoke. They would be blessed or cursed; they chose the latter.
The prophets in the Old Testament warned the people of their destructive ways, but they paid no attention to them. The Israelites of old were warned that if they continued to turn away from God, they would be taken captive. Israel, the northern 10 tribes, were taken captive by the nation of Assyria. Judah, the southern tribe was later taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. If they had listened to the prophets and repented, all of this could have been prevented.
Today in the New Testament, there is ample warning for those who have strayed away from God and are following false teaching. Yet God’s Word teaches us we can be lost. Paul wrote the book of Galatians to people who had turned away from God and were being led by men who did not know the truth. Galatians 1:8 informs us, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” In Galatians 5:4 he stated, “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” From this we can see that one who was saved at one time, as the Galatians were, they could fall from grace and would be lost.
The scriptures tell us today that God’s grace has appeared, and we are to deny worldly lust and live soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:11). Let’s heed the warning!