Acts 28:24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

We are responsible to share the Gospel, but we cannot control how it will be received. As Paul shared the truth of God, some believed but some “would not believe.” The Japanese puts that as, “made no attempt to believe.” Faith is a gift, but it is also a choice. It is true that the Gospel can seem “too good to be true,” but it is only when we choose to receive it that we experience all of its goodness. The thing is, the choice to believe isn’t just at the moment of salvation. Each one of us faces challenges to our faith. If that weren’t the case, how could our faith grow? God isn’t being mean to us when He gives us such challenges, He wants us to be strong, mature disciples who recognize and appropriate the incredible abundance He has for us. My wife once had a vision of a stairway to heaven, with angels coming and going on it, bringing gifts to believers. Every gift must be received for it to be effective, and that starts with faith.

I have certainly experienced this. After I was introduced to the Charismatic Movement in 1973 (in a Baptist church!) I started seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but experienced nothing. It wasn’t until about a year later that someone told me, “How do you receive anything from God? By grace through faith, right? If you believe that God has promised you His Spirit, then ask Him to baptize you, believe that He is true to His Word, and thank Him for it, without placing any conditions on how it happens.” (I had quoted Luke 11:13 to him when he asked if I believed God had provided His Spirit for me.) That night I tried it, exactly as he had recommended, and felt nothing. However, two days later I abruptly realized I was talking to a total stranger about Jesus, Acts 1:8 came to mind, and I knew God had been true to His Word. In the years since then I have been challenged many times as to whether I was going to believe God, or believe anything else. Every time I have chosen to believe God, I have been blessed. (I wish I could say that was 100% of the time, but I’m certainly not perfect.) As I minister to others, whether they are Christians or not, I am to speak the truth in love and pray that they receive it in faith, but not feel guilty if they fail to do so. I’m also not to accuse myself if I feel bad about their failing to receive, because even Jesus wept over Jerusalem. (Matthew 23:37)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the privilege of sharing Your truth, whether it is received or not. I do pray that more and more would receive, to rise up as a mighty army for You, breaking the chains of the enemy on this nation  for the salvation of multitudes, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!