Luke 13:1-5
1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
SOAP – Luke 13:5
Christians must not automatically equate tragedy with divine punishment. Tragedies strike both the saved and unsaved. Life is like a vapor and death comes suddenly. This should give all people a sense of urgency. Christians should be urgent about sharing God’s message, while unbelievers should be urgent about calling upon the name of the Lord for salvation.
Do you have a sense of urgency when it comes to the things of God? Can you say with assurance that you are going to Heaven when you die? Life is precarious and fragile, but all of Scripture confirms the horrible reality of an eternal punishment in Hell. Only Jesus can satisfy God’s wrath against sin.
Father God, I thank You for the faith to believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. Give me a sense of urgency and compassion for the lost. I thank You that no sin is beyond God’s grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.