Being a Christian means of course that you place all your faith in Jesus Christ and His word. But it also means that you have knowledge of what lies ahead for all people. That those who have lived their life for God will enter into the kingdom of Heaven. While those who did not are headed for a much darker outcome. Having this knowledge makes you a watchman and you are tasked with warning those who are unaware of what’s coming.
The role of the watchman is actually shown to us in the scripture. As God placed the prophet, Ezekiel, as a watchman over Israel, tasked with warning the people about what would happen to those who continued to live in sin.
Ezekiel 33:2–3 (ESV)
2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people,
A watchman would stand in a tower keeping an eye out for enemies on the horizon. When they would spot an enemy approaching they would sound an alarm. Warning everyone else of what’s coming so they could prepare to defend themselves. Christians are watchmen in this very same sense. We can see what lies ahead for the unsaved and must do all we can to warn them.
It is the responsibility of every Christian to make disciples and to warn of what living a sinful life leads too. This does not mean we are the watchmen over the whole world. Nor are we all meant to be Pastors who watch over an entire flock. But all those who have a firm knowledge of Scripture are the watchmen of the unsaved around them. Whether it’s family, friends, coworkers, or even a complete stranger. We are all in the position to warn somebody about the perils of sin and lead them to the safety we find in Christ.
For Ezekiel, the responsibility God gave him to warn the people of Israel came with consequences. If he failed to warn the people and they died in their sin he would be responsible for their death. But if he did warn them and they still continued to sin he was not responsible. This is not to say that is how things work for today’s watchmen, but it is definitely something to keep in mind. As we should make sure we never neglect sharing the Gospel with the lost.
Ezekiel 33:7–9 (ESV)
7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Our goal as watchmen is primarily to point the lost to Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. But I do not believe that our role stops with that. God’s people are supposed to build others up. Meaning we share the hope, joy, peace, and love we have received from God with everyone. Using those things to build them up. Just as scripture teaches us to do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
John 13:34 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Romans 14:19 (ESV)
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
While every Christian is keeping watch in their own tower there are times when one’s view might be a little better than that of even another watchman. This can be for various reason but it does not mean we are better than they are. It simply means that we need to take this time to build them up. Sharing what we have and know about the greatness of God with them. To lift them out of the fog that has roiled in and allow them to once again see clearly.
No Christian is called to sit on the sideline and watch things play out. God has elevated our knowledge and given us understanding. He has effectively placed us in the tower and now it is time to do our part. Warning those who are lost to turn from their sins and receive salvation. While keeping an eye on our fellow watchmen always ready to offer a helping hand.
You are a watchman and you have a job to do in the world. One that has a greater significance than anything thing else. To borrow a word from King Solomon “everything is meaningless” that is outside of the Christian’s role as a watchman. Nothing is more important than leading others to salvation and encouraging believers to stay on the right path.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NLT)
2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
Don’t neglect your responsibility to warn others but embrace it and begin to sound the alarms. Warn all those you can of what’s coming. See them receive salvation and assume your same position as a watchman. Tasked with spreading the good news.
And be sure that you always keep an eye out for those who just need a little encouragement. You never know what kind of impact just sharing a little Godly hope can have on someone else’s life. It could be the very thing that keeps them living for God and moving through their situation. Not to mention it’s something we are all called to do.
We hope that you will embrace your role as a watchman and start looking out for others today. If you found this article helpful please support us by sharing our content. Each share helps us reach more people that we could not have otherwise. To share simply click the icon of your preferred social media platform. Thank you for your support and God Bless!
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