In Acts 27 there is an apparent contradiction, or at least two things that don’t belong together.  Here is the deal: Paul is on his way to Rome.  He’s on a ship with some 276 people (v.37) sailing in a season when no one should be sailing and they find themselves in a raging storm.  They are hungry and scared and Paul stands up and tells them of what God told him through an angel (v.24) “God has granted you all those who sail with you…”  So they have a promise from God that they’ll all make it alive, good stuff!  But then when some of the soldiers try to escape Paul says: “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” (v.31).  Huh???  I thought it was promised that they would all live, why now a warning that they will die if they get off the ship?

What we have is a promise laying side by side with a warning.  Seems like if the promise was sure you wouldnt need to bother with a warning, right?  If there is a promise you’ll all live, why doesnt Paul say, “Hey do whatever you guys want, we’ve got the promise from God that we’ll live.  I dont care what you do!”?

Doesnt a promise negate the need for a warning?

Here is the key to seeing how these fit together:  the warning serves as the MEANS by which the promise is accomplished.  In other words, by using the warning God’s purposes are brought about.  This is the key to understanding the book of Hebrews.  Why the warning passages in Hebrews if its written to believers?  If your salvation is sure (promise) then why warn people that if they dont continue to the end they wont be saved?  Wont everyone who is saved continue to the end? (the answer to that question is yes, in case you were unsure).

God has a will which he has ordained and he brings it to pass through MEANS which he ordained.  The means of keeping all the men on that ship to save them all?  A warning from Paul.  The means of keeping followers of Jesus persevering to the end?  Warnings in scripture (example: Hebrews 10:26-27).  So, hear the warnings, trust they’re for you, and let them do their intended work: invigorate you to more obedience.

Next we’ll look at why warnings work.