Saturday Night Ramblings

  Seeing as I have not been able to put together very many adequately coherent and scripturally sound blog posts as of late, I decided that I will now write an impromptu post in which I simply talk about whatever things I have on my mind.
  We all know about the giant wildfire in Fort Mcmurray, Alberta, which has taken the homes of many.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this calamity - to those who have lost everything (in earthly terms).
  What can we learn from this disaster?  1 Timothy 6:17 comes to mind: "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy". And furthermore, we read in Matthew 6:19 - 21: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
  This disaster serves as a sobering reminder that our earthly possessions - the things we hold dear - can perish in a moment. Let us therefore put our trust in the Eternal and Living God, who never fails.
  And further, this disaster is a sobering reminder of a reality that many would rather not admit. As all the inhabitants of Fort Mcmurray flee the flames of a very dreadful fire, let it be known to the world that there is another far greater and more dreadful fire - one which humanity can escape only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  
   " And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
⁸ In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" - 2 Thess. 1:7 - 9
  "¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:12 - 15
   Now it may possibly be said that it is cruel of me to draw this point from such a disaster.  To anyone who would think so I say this: if it is true that man is guilty before a just and holy God, who cannot tolerate sin, and if it is true that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and that apart from Him no one can find salvation, and if the doctrine of hell is true, it would actually be cruel of me not to warn people about the wrath to come, and fail to give them the gospel.
   On that topic (since this is a ramble I can go down all the bunny trails I want :), I have heard it said that some people 'get saved' simply to avoid hell.  And of course, if someone treats salvation as death insurance, they would not be sincere in their love for God, since they don't really care about serving him, as long as they can somehow avoid hell. Therefore, we should not actually warn people of the wrath to come, and we should instead try to present the gospel in a more 'loving' way.
   This gives the appearance of promoting earnestness within the sinner, but it is fundamentally flawed. If one truly realizes what Christ has done for him on the cross, his life will never be the same, and his love for God will increase.  When I realize what Christ went through to save a vile sinner such as I, and I fully comprehend the fate I would otherwise have had to suffer, the impact on my life will be inevitable. 
   We are to warn every man (Col. 1:28).  Preaching the 'good news' aspect of the gospel without preaching the 'bad news' of the law first is like giving a person medicine when he is not yet aware of his illness.  
   Interestingly, if the gospel were false, it would be cruel to preach it, but if it is true, then it is cruel not to preach it. Think about it.
   I think this will wrap up my discourse for tonight.  Thank you for reading, and God bless.