Not Everyone Listens

When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”  For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand  with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’- Acts 27:23-27

As you know we all have a "charge" from the Lord to go and share the Good News. There are a number of admonitions in the New Testament that tell us that the Gospel seed will not always fall on fertile soil. In fact, in the parable about the seed (Matthew 13) there were three places where the seed did not grow, yielding a crop - that being salvation. I am careful to not "fill in the blanks" as I wrote about the other day - but math would tell me that it is three times more likely that my sharing the Gospel will fall on deaf ears 3 out of 4 times.  

The point is - our responsibility is to tell - just like Paul did in Rome. In his case he always spoke to the Jews first and it was the Jews that were spiritually blind and deaf. Remember Jesus' words - Matthew 13:15-16

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

Oh that the people would see and hear. It is especially sorrowful when those people are related to you. They are part of your family. About that, Jesus also said - 

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” - Luke 12:51-53

There was unity when no one believed or everyone believed. I don't tell you this to discourage you, but that you might understand that your testimony to you family is actually your heavenly obligation to the world - including your family. How they respond is between them and the Lord. No matter you will love them. I can tell you that my mom witnessed to me for 7 years and Martie 5 years, from the time we started dating. So don't give up but remember what your role is. You can't save anyone - no matter who much you want to.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone