On the other hand, the difference between warnings and worry is important. Worry is internal supposing about what could happen while warnings are from an outside source, usually about what will happen. Worry accomplishes nothing, but heeding or ignoring a warning changes the course of lives.
In the OT, God’s warnings are closely connected to God’s Law. The commands to obey followed by the consequences of disobedience are many. These warnings began early, even as the commands were given to Moses:
Exodus 19:20–22. “The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.’ ”
Other passages say the same thing, such as Deuteronomy 8:19. “And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.”
The NT has four verbs sometimes translated as to warn, or to testify, command with authority, admonish, or to say something in advance.
Jesus warned His disciples: Luke 12:5. “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” Being fearful of ‘what will people think’ can have dire consequences — if that fear keeps me from telling them about Jesus and redemption. I ought to have more anxiety about those consequences than I do about losing favor with anyone who needs to hear the good news of salvation.
Paul warned his readers: Galatians 5:18–21. “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
While salvation is for anyone no matter their sinfulness, a person who keeps on sinning cannot claim to be a Christian. God changes lives and anyone who says they believe in Jesus Christ will show it by change. If not, they need to be warned that their ‘faith’ is not biblical faith and their destiny is not what they suppose.
The book of Revelation ends with an invitation, a warning and a promise:
Revelation 22:17–20. “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
At least one religious cult has rewritten the Bible so it aligns with their version of ‘faith’ and how a person can be saved (by following their organization). These verses are a warning to them, and to those who make salvation a matter of ‘being a good person’ rather than admitting sin and relying on Jesus Christ to forgive them and give them new life. God’s good news is grace, not ‘try harder.’
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. I can testify to the importance of listening to God’s warnings. One sad lesson has been learned hard way: the less I listen, the quieter His voice — and the greater my inability to deal with those sins that He had warned me about. Regret is a very sad word.
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