Alarms

stock photos

“… I have made you a watchman … Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.”

Ezekiel 3: 17

One way to meet your neighbors when you move to a new location is awakening at four in the morning with every fire alarm in the building going off at the same time. Oh dear! I am used to my alarm clock waking me up at the usual time—a pleasant sound of birds awakening. My wake-up alarm is a gentle reminder that life must go on. I am happy for the smoke alarm when my biscuits burn. I’m comforted to know if the CO level in my house reaches dangerous levels I can get out and call for help. When I hear a siren from the fire station down the street, I know someone is available to respond to an emergency. But an alarm at four in the morning brings potential danger to my door.

When I heard the alarm, my immediate thought went to the crock pot where I had a run of apple butter simmering overnight. No fire. I pulled the plug and went outside. (By the way, the apple butter is delicious!)

My neighbors and I gathered in front of the building. None of us had any smoke or active fire in our apartments. The usual questions: “Why? What are we supposed to do?” I did the logical thing and called 911. First responders showed up within the next ten minutes, did a thorough search of the building, turned off the alarm, and sent us back to our beds. Excitement over. I met at least three neighbors I’d not met before and chatted with those I did know.

We can see alarms as either good or something unpleasant we must accept in order to achieve a particular result, commonly referred to as a “necessary evil.”

God’s Holy Word is an alarm. As we read and apply the scriptures to our lives, we learn God’s truth and follow it to love others and obey His standards. There are warnings noted in the scriptures: As in the verse above, we, as children of God, are to share these alarms with others. The one who reads this is referred to as a “watchman.” The Bible is an apt alarm system to warn those who are going into harm’s way toward their eternal destiny. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to tell others who do not know Him the truths of the scriptures. One common means of warning others is called “The Romans Road.” Below is a scriptural walk on the “Romans Road” to salvation: [i]

The Human Problem – Sin

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3: 23

This verse tells us that all people have sinned and thus fall short of God’s glorious standard.

The Consequence of Sin

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6: 23

This highlights the consequences of sin – death, which means eternal separation from God. The verse introduces the solution – the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

The Solution – Christ’s Sacrifice

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5: 8

Despite our sins, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died in our place.

The Response – Faith

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10: 9

Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ—by confessing Him as Lord and believing in His resurrection.

The Assurance of Salvation

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10: 13

Challenge: If you belong to the Lord, sound the alarm to your unbelieving family and friends that they must repent and believe; If you do not know Him: realize you are a sinner; repent and believe in Jesus as the only Savior.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray for those who have never trusted you as Savior. May they know Your presence, repent of their sin, and believe. Amen

[ii]