God’s Warnings are to Save and Keep Us <Lev 26:1, 14-28, 40-45; Jn 3:36; Deut 27:9-10>

 

1. There is no conflict between warning and love.

1In fact, God’s warning is out of His love.

2Warning may instil fear in people, but are all fears bad?

·    The right fear is actually good for us and can protect us.

·    The right fear will not make us lose strength, but instead, is the motivation for us to obey God and do good.

·    The right fear is not to rob us of joy, but to ensure that we do not depart from the joy found only in the Lord.

3Warning is one of the means that God uses to save and keep us.

·    God’s warning serves a “preventive” purpose.

 

2. We humans need warnings.

·    Fallen man often cannot detect dangers, and cannot see sin as sin.

·    Thus, we need the awakening and illumination from the word of God, and we should love God’s warnings.

 

3. What does God mainly warn us of?

1Besides the only true God, we shall not have other gods.

·    Read <Lev 26:1; Jn 3:36>.

2The consequences and penalty of sins.

·    <Gal 6:7> Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

·    Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. <Ro 8:1>

·    For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. <Ro 8:13>

·    Read <Deut 27:9-10; Lev 26:14-28>.

·    Salvation is unconditional, but after being saved, how much joy we can enjoy in the Lord and how much we are sanctified, is related to our obedience.

3Beware of Satan the enemy, temptations and trials.

4The final judgment in future.

 

4. Must not ignore God’s warnings and be a foolish person.

·    God’s warnings are real.

·    God’s warnings are timely.

·    Especially when God’s warnings are frequent.

 

5. But what if we have no ability to respond rightly to God’s warnings?

·    The law reveals that man cannot save himself but need a Saviour. Thus, God sent Christ to save sinners.

·    God ultimately saved His people not because they could perfectly keep His law, but because He remembered the covenant He made with them.

·     Read <Lev 26:40-45>.