No one, though try as they may, can flee from God.
Jonah knew this, but still cared little that his attempt to run away from God might bring misery upon others. He inflicted extreme fear and guilt upon his shipmates as a consequence of his selfish rebellion against God. Sadly, Jonah is not the only one guilty of that sin.
Throughout the Bible we see God speaking through the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles, and preachers and teachers. God’s call of grace has always been to: “Prepare to meet your God!”
But most men live in rebellion to God’s call to salvation. They see no need to repent, because they reject the notion that they are accountable to God for their sins. Paul makes God’s plan for all clear:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Those walking in the Light are cleansed from sin and its condemnation. Those walking in darkness remain sin stained and condemned. One has already prepared to meet their God, the other must prepare to meet their God.
God, speaking through His prophet Amos, reminded Israel that he had inflicted them with hunger, drought, blight, plagues, and war, but nothing had moved them to repentance (Amos 4:6-12). All of these were efforts to discipline them (as with all His children), so they could share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:10).
Israel’s refusal to heed God’s warnings brought an end to talk. God told them: “Prepare to meet your God.” (Amos 4:12).
Be it in the time of Amos, or be it now, God’s judgement stands:
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Hebrews 10:26-27).
John Staiger
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