Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”

• Ezekiel 33:7-9

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

• Matthew 7:1-5

“if we find a man giving pleasure it is for us to prove (if we criticize him) that his action is wrong. But if we find a man inflicting pain it is for him to prove that his action is right. If he cannot, he is a wicked man.”

• C.S. Lewis, God in the Docks (Essay entitled “Vivisection”)

I have heard people say that the Scripture from Ezekiel shows that we will be held accountable for anyone who does not hear the Gospel if we keep our mouths shut and hide the Light that is within us.

I have heard people quote the Matthew Scripture to claim that Jesus told us to never judge and even to keep our mouth shut because someone might be offended.

Let’s throw out that last idea right away.  Jesus often offended the religious leaders of His time.  We should never have to apologize for sharing the Gospel in Love – although some countries have silenced the Christians, and even some traditionally Christian nations are trying to silence Christians today.

But Jesus also said that we should judge.  His comment in the Sermon on the Mount is that we should be more focused on getting our own house in order.  But casting out heresies is part of what we should do.

But as for the first one, have you been called to the ministry as a watchman?  Even then, who is your flock (the subject of Ezekiel 34, in part)?  I think pastors who lead their congregation astray, allowing false doctrine into the church are subject to the Watchman rule here.  That could go for a Sunday school teacher.  I do not take my duties lightly.  I try to be prepared.  But for us to be held accountable for the billions on earth who have not heard the Gospel preached is ludicrous, especially if we are ill, homebound, and have never travelled outside 100 miles from our home.  Now, if you are in that state, God may indeed want you to let your caregiver know about the Gospel.  Who is better to share it?  But even then, were you assigned as Watchman?

The bottom line is that all who go to Hell get there on their own power.  They want to not be bothered by God and that is what they get.  When they realize how God was protecting them from the ultimate in pain once separated from Him it will be too late.

But everyone going to Heaven gets there not on our own merit, but by the Grace of God.  All because we acted upon our free will to reject the world’s message and praise and glorify God.  In a way, that is what accepting Jesus into our hearts is all about.  We believe and trust Him and we take up our cross and follow.

So, this business of failing to speak to one person or another is not going to be held against us.  Denying Christ?  That’s another story.  But is there someone in your circle of influence that you have wanted to talk to about Jesus?  Why are you waiting?  But while you wait, pray.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.