Warnings and Invitations
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
New York City: A Warning 
Beneath the luminous facade of New York City’s nocturnal skyline lurks a shadowy realm fraught with peril. As the sun dips below the horizon, the streets transform into a labyrinth where the unwary tread at their own risk. Dark alleys whisper secrets of danger, where the echoes of footsteps are drowned out by the pulse of the city’s heartbeat. From opportunistic predators to the siren call of vice, the night unveils a spectrum of threats that can ensnare even the most vigilant. Those who venture unprepared into the night’s embrace may find themselves lost in its depths, navigating a landscape where caution is the only currency that holds value.
New York City : An Invitation
Step into safety, your haven amidst the urban tumult
of New York City’s nighttime streets. Nestled in the heart of the city, Safety beckons as a sanctuary of tranquility and security. Join us as we invite you to escape the hustle and bustle, finding solace within our fortified walls. Our vigilant staff stands ready to ensure your safety, offering a respite from the uncertainties that lurk beyond our doors. From well-lit pathways to round-the-clock surveillance, every precaution is taken to guarantee your peace of mind. Experience a haven where the worries of the outside world fade into obscurity, and the only agenda is your comfort and security. Safety awaits your arrival, where serenity and safety converge in the heart of the city that never sleeps.
Which of these two environments do you find most compelling? The warning or invitation?
Recently, I have been thinking about how we communicate and how people hear what we call the ‘Good News.’
- The bad news often drowns out the good news. Hell takes the lead over Heaven.
- Fear, punishment over perfect mercy, freedom, grace, peace, and joy.
- The gnashing of teeth over a glistening tooth of a joyful smile.
- We see a pointed finger of judgment rather than a beckoning finger of “come”.
How is it that you listen? What do you hear? Are you frightened by warnings or attracted to invitations?
True, there are plenty of ‘watch out’ statements in the Bible that we need to take seriously. Indeed, like the city’s dark streets at night, we need to take them seriously.
YES,we are rightly warned:
“There is a way that appears to be right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
Proverbs 14:12
“So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:49-50
YES, we are also invited:
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 14:2-3
“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
Revelation 19:9
“Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43
So What?
As a fisher of men, I believe that if we were to know the Lord personally, surrender to Him through us, enjoy and reveal the exercise of His promises, experience the peace that passes all understanding, love others as He loves us, etc., this would (super)naturally attract many.
Eternal life with the Lord begins right here, right now.
Right here, right now, Everyone, yes, you too, is invited to know God and interact with Him. In this relationship, we learn of and experience His grace and forgiveness—the ticket into a perfected eternal life.
Our life should be an invitation. What are you inviting others to?
Others need to see and feel the possibility of knowing the Lord here and now. We need to show and tell about such a life. People are desperate for peace, help and hope. They need to know the joys, blessings, and security of knowing God over and above the threat of hell. We need ourselves to ‘go to know’ Him and show Him.
Let’s do it.