Have you ever encountered anyone who was not receptive to the Gospel?

Have you ever encountered anyone who was not receptive to the Gospel?  Sure, we all have.  And I’m fairly certain that most of us have come across those folks who are even hostile toward the things of God, possibly even within our own families and circles of friends.  What should our response be in those circumstances?  What does the Word of God say?

In Matthew chapter ten, Jesus gives some very clear instructions to His disciples as he sends them out with the message.  And in Matthew 10:14 Jesus reveals that not all who hear the Good News will be receive it and directs the twelve to “shake the dust from your feet when you leave that house.”  In other words, do not waste time arguing against them.  Just a few chapters back Jesus preached to the multitudes and said this, 

“Do not give dogs what is Holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” – Matthew 7:6

I believe this follows the same logic.  God’s gift of free grace does not make sense to those who are arrogant in God’s face and reject the Gospel altogether.  Therefore, we are to avoid arguments with them at all costs.  Remember, Jesus Himself was silent before Pilate.  That is astonishing to me.  Jesus could have easily defeated Pilate in a debate.

But our responsibilities can’t simply end at that point, can they?  I don’t believe so.  Jesus clearly taught in Matthew chapter five that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  Surely our lost friends and family members who are antagonistic toward the Gospel are not our enemies, but in the truest sense of the Word, as lost sinners following the desires of their own flesh, they are the spiritual enemies of God.  So we must pray for them, specifically asking God to soften their hearts and to create additional opportunities for us to speak His truth to them and to send other believers to encounter them with truth as well.

Prayer is not our last option, it is our greatest resource.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Bruce