Ezekiel 3:18-19 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Our Job Description and God's Expectation
The prelude to these verse says "I have appointed you watchman... when you hear a word from my mouth, warn them for me" this is consistent witht the idea that we are God's ambassador (Ezekiel 3:17; 2 Cor 5:18-20). God is making His appeal through us. We do this by preaching the gospel that has been entrusted to us (1 Cor 1:17;1 Thes 2:4). We take this Gospel to the ends of the earth, imploring all people to be reconciled to God (Acts 1:8).
http://biblereasons.com/exposing-evil/
http://www.gotquestions.org/ambassador-for-Christ.html
http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/3-17.htm
Our Job Description and God's Expectation
The prelude to these verse says "I have appointed you watchman... when you hear a word from my mouth, warn them for me" this is consistent witht the idea that we are God's ambassador (Ezekiel 3:17; 2 Cor 5:18-20). God is making His appeal through us. We do this by preaching the gospel that has been entrusted to us (1 Cor 1:17;1 Thes 2:4). We take this Gospel to the ends of the earth, imploring all people to be reconciled to God (Acts 1:8).
- Our leaders watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17), we obey and submit to them when they speak up bringing joy to their work (Isaiah 52:7-8). They carry the promise of God; the weight of the cross and the good news of restoration for all (Isaiah 52:9-56:8).
- Sinful leaders are blind and ignorant, silent - giving no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming - like greedy dogs, never satisfied. They follow there own paths, intent on personal gain - they party with wine, get drunk and tomorrow plan to do it again only bigger (Isaiah 56:9-12)
- Faithful Leaders must "cry loudly, not holding back, raise your voice like a trumpt, declare to God's people their transgression and sins" (Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 6:17) never be silent (Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 2:7;11:4). Tell the people what the Lord has shown you (Ezekiel 11:25)
God is disappointed by our Silence and lack of effort
Ezekiel 3:20
"Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand."
- Jesus said, "It's like a fig tree, planted but not bearing fruit - even after three years - NOTHING! Cut it down" (Luke 13:6-7)
- Leaders must repent, humbly, "give it one more chance. Leave it another year and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fin. If not, then you can cut it down." (Luke 13:8-9)
Warn of the Sword
If a watchman sees the sword coming and doesn't blow the trumpet, then people are not warned and they are taken away in their sins, but their blood is on our hands because we said nothing to warn them (Ezekiel 33:6,8). Not even the good deeds of a man will save him from his sins (Ezekiel 33:12).
Repent before it's too late
The word of God is the sword the judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 3:12). Jesus gave the message that all should see the end is near and repent away from sin to God (Luke 13:1-5). To believe in Jesus and be saved from the sword of God's judgement to eternal life is not a passive and lazy (Luke 13:22-30) but requires all that we are (Romans 12:1-2).
http://biblereasons.com/exposing-evil/
http://www.gotquestions.org/ambassador-for-Christ.html
http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/3-17.htm