Joel 1:3 “Tell your sons about it, and let your sons tell their sons, and their sons the next generation.”

SPREAD THE NEWS

What?  Did I just tell you to gossip?  Yep!  Sure did!  Now, before you stop reading, take a breath.  I want you to take a look at the verse again.  Joel begins his prophetic letter by telling them to tell their children to spread the news about the consequences of disobedience.  He wanted them to tell them so they could tell their children and on and on to every generation.

We have the same command.  We must tell our children about, not only the love of God, but also the consequences of not following Him.  Today, it seems, we are so concerned about NOT offending someone that we fail to tell them that they will NOT like the alternative to NOT following the Lord.  The Lord is a loving God, for sure.  But He is also a holy God who will hold us all accountable for sin.

TEACHING MOMENT     

So, do you scare your kids into salvation?  Of course not.  We need to teach them the Word of God and tell them how much God loves them.  He sent His Son to die for us, but His Son only died BECAUSE of our sins.  Sin kills.  Sin destroys.  And without the saving grace of God through the shed blood of Jesus, we have NO HOPE.

Just as your children have consequences for disobeying your rules in your home, your children will suffer the consequences of sin against God.  Without Jesus in their lives as their loving Savior, they have no escape from eternal damnation.

Wow! Carl, that’s harsh.  Maybe, but it’s true.  So be a gossip.  Spread the news as far and as wide as possible.  Tell everyone you know about this.  Don’t let anyone slip through the cracks.  If you love anyone, make sure they know that judgment will come.  But there is a way of salvation that is found ONLY in Jesus.

Father, give me the boldness today to share the Good News of Jesus with someone.  Let me be very clear of the consequences of disbelief and very clear of the hope we have in You.