CHRISTIAN, YOU ARE A WATCHMAN!

We don’t hear the title “watchman” that much anymore; instead, we say “security guard.” Either way, the job description is about the same. A watchman’s responsibility depends on the needs of the employer. Most often, the watchman is expected to patrol in and around a building to make sure there’s no burglary going on. Also, a watchman’s presence serves as a deterrent to people who might otherwise want to break in. Other watchmen, however, have the responsibility of watching and warning a population of impending danger.

God needs watchmen to warn unbelievers of impending judgment, so they’ll repent and be forgiven. He does not gain anything from the death of the wicked: “Do you think I like to see wicked people die? Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live” (Ezekiel 18:23).

God called Ezekiel to be a watchman for the nation of Israel (see Ezekiel 33:7). He explained the watchman’s responsibility this way: “When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he must sound the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. … But if the watchman sees the enemy coming but doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths” (Ezekiel 33:3-6). 

In the same way, God has sent us, His disciples, to go and preach the gospel to all nations: “I have been given authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Since the church age, evangelism has been the church’s number one charge and focus. The disciples of Jesus traveled all over the then world preaching the gospel to all who would listen. Sometimes they were persecuted for their faith, but they did not allow that to stop them; they pressed on!

That charge has not changed and won’t until the Lord Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom, but it is more urgent now than ever because His return is closer now than it was then. How focused have you been? It is not enough to be saved; we need to be obedient and diligent so others will be saved as well.

Do you realize there are many people in your sphere of influence who have never heard, understood, or responded to the gospel? Let’s try to prayerfully engage them in friendly conversations and discussions; that’s all God asks of us. We can’t convict or convert anyone; that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. Our charge is to share the gospel, and the Holy Spirit will take over. It’s our responsibility to warn people, and when they repent, come alongside them and help them grow in their faith. But if they don’t repent, they will have no excuse when they face God’s judgment; we will have exonerated ourselves.

As watchmen, what’s our message? It is the same message Jesus preached, and it is this: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of God is near” (Matthew 4:17). The Psalmist clearly charges us to “Each day proclaim the good news that he saves” (Psalm 96:2). 

If a person doesn’t get into the Kingdom of heaven, he’ll get into hell, and that’s what we should be warning them about. How do they turn to God? They’ll need to understand that “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), and that the name is Jesus, and so if you “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Dear Christian, remember, you became an appointed watchman the day you became a Christian, and you are charged to exhibit your faith through your actions wherever you are, go, or happen to be. Allow the way you live your life to complement your message. Heaven is waiting expectantly to rejoice over every sinner who repents (see Luke 15:7). Are you willing to help make this happen? Be a conscientious watchman!