Living in Liberty

A Ministry of Bryce Lowance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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Luke 13:1-5 Turn Or Burn?

31 January 2017

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5

A popular “evangelical” tool used to coerce superficial belief and obedience is sometimes referred to as “turn or burn.” Texts like the one above and others are used to coerce the hearer into following Jesus out of fear of burning hell rather than out of the comfort of love.

There are MANY problems with this technique, not the least of which is that Jesus Himself said:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

If Jesus did not come to condemn then His gospel should not be used to condemn or threaten condemnation to hell either!

So, what does this passage teach us?

First of all, we need to remember the techniques of the Scribes and Pharisees who continually tried to sidestep the need for repentance. In this case, Jesus has just told them that they don’t see Him as the Messiah and this will have national consequences.

They thought themselves better than those who revolted against Rome and died. Jesus said that there was a similar destruction coming for them if they did not repent. Jesus then mentions another event where eighteen men were killed when a tower fell on them. Jesus said that the Scribes and Pharisees will LIKEWISE perish if they do not repent. The historian Josephus recorded that 1.1 million were killed in the siege of Jerusalem and that 300,000 were crushed in the rubble of the Temple when Titus eventually destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Jesus is referring to another NATIONAL catastrophe that could be avoided if the Jews would just repent of their arrogance and self justification. This text should be understood and applied in its HISTORICAL context. It should not be used to threaten with eternal damnation. Rather, it should be used to show that there are TIMELY consequences to impenitence and unbelief.

As you can see in the parable that follows, God is longsuffering to unbelief, not impatiently vindictive.

« Luke 13:1 Another Catch-22 | Luke 13:1-5 "Good Enough" »

Tags: discipleship, evangelism, luke, repentance

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.