Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.1
We know of both a physical death and a physical life; likewise, we know the reality of a spiritual death and life. But many would rather believe that all physical death leads to a spiritual eternal life in the company of God. And refuse to accept that there is a definite way that leads to death or life. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.2
It was for this reason that the letters or epistles were written to correct wrong notions or teachings. These writings were compiled, which we now have as the bible. Paul boldly declares, I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.3 His message was for everyone who would listen. For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, . . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”4 His intent was not to please man but to speak truth! He was entrusted with a task to preach the gospel.5
God’s love provokes those called to speak out. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?6
There is a consequence to our unbelief! Paul sternly warns of it. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. . . . For although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.7
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 8
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. . . . And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. . . . . Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.9
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”10 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”11
Notes:
1. Proverbs 18:21
2. Ecclesiastes 1:9
3. Romans 1:14-15
4. Romans 1:16-17
5. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17
6. Proverbs 24:10-12
7. Romans 1:18-23
8. Romans 1:24-25
9. Romans 1:26-32
10. Revelations 1:8
11. Revelations 3:20
