Having left New York’s shivering cold, it surely felt good to step out into the warm, fresh air of tropical Barbados. Since we had been sitting on the airplane for four hours already and had a little time before the plane took off again, we were ready for a walk.
In the front of the airport is a walkway planted with tropical plants. It was interesting for us to see the palm trees and flowering shrubs. The beautiful flowers smelled so good. Enjoying the fresh air and scenery, we wandered away down to the end of the area.
There are many people in this world who are “having a good time.” They do not know that what they are doing is sinful, and that God is watching them. If they do know it, they don’t care. Yet our sins will take us down to hell unless we trust in the Lord Jesus. Maybe as you read this you are still one of those people the Bible describes as, “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” 2 Timothy 3:44Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (2 Timothy 3:4).
We were having a good time, but someone was watching us. A security guard stopped us and asked, “What were you doing way down there?”
“Oh... uh... just enjoying the flowers, sir.”
“Well, you don’t belong down there.”
“But there were no signs to tell us.”
He very sternly said, “Your gate is number 12,” and he pointed where we should go.
We quickly moved on toward gate 12.
God has not left us without warnings. We cannot say to God, “There is nothing to tell us,” because He has given us His Word, the Bible. It tells us, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). He also tells us, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15).
We could argue with the guard that there was no warning. But any who stand before God as their judge will be speechless; they will have nothing to say.
The security guard did not arrest us. He told us what to do and we did it.
God does more than warn. In love He tells of a way to escape those wages of sin. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15). Yes, God Himself has given His own Son to die and pay those wages so that sinners who believe are free.
ML-01/03/1988