The recent earthquake that buckled the sea floor just off the coast of eastern Russia was a major temblor measuring 8.8 on the Richter Scale. Although the quake rocked many coastal villages, the greater concern was with the resulting tsunami that was due to hit Korea and Japan, as well as the west coast of the United States. Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California all received “tsunami warnings” which meant that the “potential” for a tsunami to impact the coastline was highly probable, but the intensity of the wave hitting the shoreline would be variable, and for some, even negligent. Fortunately, the resulting tsunami along our west coast was relatively minor, only impacting a few coastal towns.

Warnings are designed to cause us to “be aware” and “take heed” because danger may lie ahead. The tsunami warnings that coastal areas received were issued as “warnings” that significant damage and loss of life may occur, and to immediately head toward higher ground just in case it turned out to be a “big one!” There is always a level of uncertainty in such predictions and warnings, but that is not true with “warnings” we receive from God’s Word. The “warnings” in the Bible carry a sense of “certainty” with them. For example, King Solomon wrote:

Just as righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death (Prov. 11:19).

Although this is a warning, it is a warning with results that are certain — If you pursue evil, it will lead to your own destruction. On the other hand, if you pursue a life of righteousness, it will lead to a life of abundance. After all, Jesus said,

“I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Jesus also issued a warning to all those who seek to gain all of the power and riches the world has to offer when He said:

“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his own soul” (Matt 16:26).

Our soul is that which lives beyond the grave, and to miss out on eternal life would be a tragedy. After all, the eternal destiny of our soul is more important than gaining all the world’s riches. And finally, the Apostle Paul issued a warning to all of us when he wrote:

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his sinful nature will reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will reap everlasting life” (Gal 6:7-8).

Once again, Paul warned against sowing to satisfy our own human nature, and if we do, we will reap corruption. On the other hand, sowing to the things of God will reap a harvest that ends in life for all eternity.   

Let me encourage all of us to heed these warnings from God’s Word, and make sure that our lives are in line with God’s will. Remember, these are “warnings” that are intended for us to make choices to live godly lives, and not to pursue lives that attempt to satisfy our own desires.

May God extend His blessings to each one of you.