“When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’
and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that
wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable
for his blood”.
Ezekiel 33:8
God’s charge to Ezekiel should be felt by every person that has had their life changed by the grace of salvation. There is a responsibility inherent in this Christian walk. And the punishment for refusal or intentional blindness is equally severe. Blood is on their hands. Every family member, neighbor, or co-worker that we refuse to touch for the cause of Christ we condemn by our actions and are ourselves condemned. This Christian walk is not a free ride on the Salvation Bus. Our charge is nothing shorter than the spread of the gospel message to everyone within our sphere of influence. We cannot afford any exceptions because they cannot afford not to know the truth. The price for failure of their end is everlasting.
The watchman is ever vigilant for an opportunity to share the gospel message. And when that call from God comes, we must never hesitate to sound the horn of our faithful devotion. The faults of our sin, the blood on our hands, is washed away by the cleansing blood of the sacrificial lamb. Failure can be forgiven, but punishment is always enacted. When we stand before the throne of God to explain our failures as a disciple, we will be required to peel off layer after layer of blood that has crusted and molded to our hands. No excuse could ever be good enough to the one who must spend an eternity in everlasting darkness as a result of our silence.
Our role as watchman does not end at evangelism. In truth, we are our brother’s keeper. We are required to pick up the ones that fall and restore them top their proper place. Again, our responsibility and Christ-likeness is proven in our actions and not our words. For, in the realm of eternity, our silence can damage others faster than our actions can build them up.
* A disciple takes responsibility for the eternal and mortal welfare of others.
· Application – Have I looked the other way when my brother is down? Have I failed to act when the still voice of my Lord commands me?