Calculated Risk

When I tell people in California that I’m from Oklahoma, their response usually carries some confusion as to why anyone would want to live where tornadoes strike without warning, demolishing everything in their path. I often, and happily, return the question, “Why do you live where earthquakes shake homes to the ground?” Every place has disasters and risks attached to living there, and some are admittedly more dangerous than others. Australian researchers were interested in how people would react if they were warned of increased risk of natural disasters in already troubled areas. They found:

“Humans may be willing to put daily pleasure ahead of the threat of long-term disaster when selecting where to live.” (abc.net.au)

They found most people are determined to live in unsafe and risky locations as long as they like their surroundings. Most are willing to gamble their future and even their lives against disaster because they enjoy the daily routine.
For many, this risk-accepting mentality extends into their spiritual life as well. They have heard the warning offered by the Scriptures that Jesus will return for judgment unexpectedly, like a thief in the night (Luke 12:39-40), so why do so many continue to live in sin? Because they like their current surroundings. Because right now, life is good. Because today is all that matters to most of our world.
Christians, we must impress on our culture the need to look forward, to look beyond today and into eternity.

• Give the warning again. Warn the lost of the judgment that is coming on an unexpected day, and warn of the eternal suffering that waits for those who ignore the Lord’s commands (Matt. 24:48-51).
• Give the message of hope again. Speak simply the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:1-2). Spend the few moments to share the hope found through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and how to attain it (Acts 2:38).
• Give them your Christian example. Let them see you living your life with godly principles at work. Show them you believe the message, and perhaps their mind will be changed (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Remember, not everyone is willing to be corrected (Prov. 1:7; 10:8). Some will stubbornly cling to their sins, and no person or message will convince them to let go. But there are a few who will listen (Matt. 7:13-14) and those few are worth every effort you can give (1 Cor. 9:19, 22). As you show God’s way to the many, you will find the few who will listen.