…do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven (Hebrews 12:25, ESV).
Every golfer knows that when an errant shot is headed in the vicinity of another player, we should shout “FORE.” Typically, the origin of this custom is heavily disputed. One plausible explanation from Scottish folklore regarding the early use of “fore” is the term “fore-caddie”—a caddie sent ahead in anticipation of where the ball might land. These caddies were warned by a shout of “fore-caddie.” Eventually, it was shortened to “fore.” Wherever the truth resides, seeing a shot headed toward another player, we owe them the courtesy of a loud, urgent shout.
Unfortunately, we’ve all experienced those errant shots that cause a momentary adrenaline rush. Not too long ago, while in Dallas playing “client golf,” I hit my approach shot from behind a tall, grassy mound. As I ran to the top of the hill to see where it would land, I noticed my ball headed right toward my friend’s noggin. I shouted and shouted, but it was too late. He folded like a paper napkin. As I arrived at the green, he was crumpled on the ground; as we say, he was out like a light. Panic seized me! Thankfully, he quickly regained consciousness. Of course, his forehead (pun intended) was much larger than moments before. Being the courteous friends we were, we put him in the cart, draped a cold towel around his head, and headed to the second tee. He resumed play on hole number five.
Stories like this one can, at least occasionally, turn out to be amusing. Other stories, not so much. Time and time again, we hear of those seriously hurt by errant shots. Many times, the golfer does his or her part and shouts “fore.” Other times, unfortunately, they do not. Without a doubt, their intention was to hit the fairway or green; their culpability is in the failure to warn others of impending harm.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness….”What, if anything, does this have to do with us as those who profess Christ? In short, the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, among other things, rescues the one who believes from the “wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 1:18; Acts 17:30; John 3:36). To know of certain, future dangers and fail to warn others is something the apostle Paul avoided at all cost. He would say of himself, “…for necessity is laid upon me, woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
The good news of the Christ and what he has accomplished on believers’ behalf is much greater than we can possibly imagine. One reason that is so incomprehensible good, is that the bad news is so unbearably bad. Our status before a holy God, without Christ as our Savior and Lord, is described throughout Scripture in sobering and arresting language. According to Paul and James, we are “enemies” of God (James 4:4; Romans 5:10). Yet, according to these same Spirit-inspired authors, the ones who follow Christ in faith are at “peace” with God and are the “friends of God” (John 15: 13-15; Romans 5:1).
It is gloriously true; we are saved by grace. It is also magnificently true that we have enormous obligations to “shout it from the housetops—’Jesus saves!'” After all, as Isaiah reminds us, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness….” (Isaiah 52:7).
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Dennis Darville
December 6, 2021
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