Don’t Tell Me

by Zeke Flores

Sometimes, people just don't want to hear it- the gospel, I mean. As persuasive a preacher as Paul was, he couldn’t convince everyone to repent and turn to Jesus. So, he moved on, but not before letting them know that it was their choice to make and the consequences were theirs to bear.

Nothing has changed. We want as many people as possible to hear and heed the gospel, but some simply won’t. There are many reasons for this, but the bottom line is the same: They refuse. So, we move on, just as Jesus said (Matthew 7:6, 10:14).

As disheartening as that is, the evangelizing Christian needs to realize that he’s not responsible for the conversion of anyone; he’s only responsible for giving them the information they need to make an 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 decision. And if they make the wrong one, it’s their choice, and God will honor that choice. Just make sure you give them the right information.

"Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, 'It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.' ... When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:46, 48).