The Bible contains a number of passages that are commonly referred to as “warning passages.” These passages communicate stern warnings to readers about the dangers of continuing in sin and rejecting God’s way. The purpose of these passages is multi-faceted:
To Highlight the Seriousness of Sin
Many of the warning passages emphasize the grave dangers of persisting in patterns of sin and warn of the judgment that will come if people do not repent. For example, Hebrews 10:26-27 states, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” Passages like this underline the seriousness of rejecting Christ’s sacrifice for sins and warn of the coming judgment on unbelief.
To Motivate Repentance
The sobering warnings in Scripture are meant to motivate repentance and turning from sin to faith in Christ. As 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God desperately wants people to repent before it is too late. The warning passages impress upon readers the urgency of responding to the gospel.
To Warn of Self-Deception
Some warning passages caution against self-deception and false assurance of salvation. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Warnings humble pretenders and those claiming easy believism by making it clear that genuine saving faith produces fruit.
To Call to Perseverance
Another purpose of biblical warnings is to motivate endurance and perseverance for true believers. Passages like Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-27 are sometimes referred to as tests of genuine faith that exhort believers to press on diligently to the end. The writer of Hebrews gives strong warnings so that believers will continue living by faith until they receive the fullness of their salvation in eternity (Hebrews 10:39).
To Emphasize God’s Impartiality
Warning passages also make it clear that God judges impartially, without favoritism. Romans 2:6-11 warns that “There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil…but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good…” God’s judgment falls evenly on all without partiality based on obedience or disobedience. Warnings reveal God’s justice.
To Inspire Gratitude and Obedience
For believers, the warning passages cultivate grateful and obedient hearts. When Christians are reminded of the coming judgment for disobedience, it fills their hearts with thankfulness for God’s grace which enables obedience. It also inspires carefulness to continue walking in holiness and obedience out of love for Christ.
To Demonstrate God’s Patience
When understood properly, the warning passages actually reveal the incredible patience of God. 2 Peter 3:9 makes it clear that God’s apparent “delay” in judgment is actually patient waiting, desiring for more people to repent. God holds back judgment so that more may find salvation in Christ.
To Allow Time for Repentance
Related to God’s patience, the warning passages highlight that God is providing time for sinners to repent before judgment falls. Revelation 2:21 says, “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.” Even in judgment for the unrepentant, God’s overarching desire is repentance leading to life.
To Make Salvation Cherished
By highlighting the coming judgment, the warning passages underscore the blessings of salvation for all who repent and believe the gospel. They give believers greater joy and thankfulness for their gracious rescue from judgment through Christ. They cherish salvation all the more.
To Drive Unbelievers to Christ
The design of the warning passages includes stirring up unbelievers to see their perilous position apart from Christ and driving them to call upon the Lord for salvation. As Paul reasoned, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Warnings aim to awaken sinners to their need.
To Correct Misconceptions
The warning passages also correct wrong assumptions that people often have about salvation. Some assume they are safe from judgment merely because of religious heritage or association or because they have prayed a prayer. But the warnings make clear that genuine saving faith is marked by repentance and obedience.
To Test the Validity of Faith
As mentioned previously, a major purpose of warning passages is to provide a test of genuine faith. They force nominal believers and professing Christians to examine themselves to see if they are truly in Christ. The warnings separate true disciples from false converts.
To Expose False Believers
The sobering warnings of Scripture act to expose false believers who refuse to heed the warnings. Warning passages often bring to light those who have claimed faith in Christ but lack genuine regenerate hearts. Their lack of response to the warnings reveals their true spiritual state.
To Keep Believers from Stumbling
Strong words of warning function to keep genuine believers from falling away or stumbling into grievous sin and its consequences. They guard against drift, apathy, and backsliding by reminding of coming judgment and stirring up holy fear of God.
To Bring Nonbelievers to Repentance
Though the warning passages have a dual application for both believers and unbelievers, a key objective is bringing nonbelievers to repentance. As Hebrews 6:6 states, the warnings serve for “the restoration of such an one.” They aim to restore the lost to salvation.
To Provide a Trustworthy Guide
The warning passages provide a reliable guide for living in a world rife with false teaching and confusion about the path to heaven. They cut through the distortion and deception to outline the true way of salvation in Christ alone that leads to life.
To Reveal the Heart
Ultimately, the sobering warning passages expose human hearts and put faith to the test. They force people to confront their sin and need for grace. Those with genuine faith respond in humility, repentance, and renewed devotion to Christ. The warnings manifest the truth about hearts.
In summary, the warning passages of Scripture serve many vital purposes centered around magnifying the glory, justice, patience, impartiality and holiness of God. They highlight the seriousness of sin, call for self-examination, inspire repentance and obedience, and plead with all people to flee from judgment to the open arms of Jesus Christ. Though often difficult to receive, biblical warnings are an invaluable gift of God’s grace.