Warning

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:27-31

I can remember the image in my children’s bible like it was yesterday. My mom would read this bible to me each night before bed and this particular story snared my attention. It may have had something to do with the picture of a man wallowing in a pile of burning skulls. Why that picture would be in a kids bible I have no idea. The rich man had every warning available to him, yet did not repent. This wasn’t about riches it was about repentance and ignoring the warning. Once he saw the whole picture after his physical death, it was too late.

This story is still seared into my memory. It serves as a reminder to all men that the message of God is in front of us and how we respond to it does have eternal consequences. Listening to that message and putting faith in God is the response this unnamed man wish he would have made. Knowing it was too late for him, he was desperate to see his brothers repent. With this story in mind, live a repentant life and invite others to it. This life is the only opportunity to do so.

DO THIS TODAY: Talk to someone about your dependence on God.