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

We’re back to the point, touched on a few days ago, that salvation through the Gospel is dependent on the hearer, not the messenger. That doesn’t mean at all that we aren’t to do our best to be persuasive, to present the Gospel clearly and understandably, in a context our hearers can grasp, but it does reinforce the simple fact of free will. We can’t make anyone believe; we can’t save anyone. However, that in no way means we are to give up, that we are to stop trying. The rewards, to us and to our hearers, are far too great for that! What it means is that God is so great, He is so powerful, that He can use even such weak, foolish people as we are to save others, to bring them into repentance and faith for eternal life. However, that requires humility, and generally persistence, on our part. Very few people receive the Gospel the first time they hear it, though there are exceptions. Far more often, we have to demonstrate the love and character of God before they can really hear the words that explain it. The problem with that is that in ourselves, we aren’t very loving and holy! That’s why we ourselves need to press in to allow Him to change us more and more into the likeness of His Son. Even so, we need to remember that only a percentage even of those who met Jesus in person repented and believed for their salvation. (Mark 1:15)

I have never considered myself gifted in evangelism, but I’ll talk anyone’s ears off, given half the chance. That said, the moment of decision happens with far fewer people than I would like. One man, who has become a good friend, still won’t let go of his past traditions and embrace life in Christ. I keep thinking that could come any day now – and it could – but I can’t make it happen on my preferred schedule. I am to share Christ with him in action and in word, asking and trusting the Holy Spirit to bring about salvation at the right time. I will see him again today, and I pray that nothing I say or do would get in the way of what the Holy Spirit is doing in him, so that the day that I can truly call him my brother in Christ may come as soon as possible.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You are doing in and through that man. I do pray that You would open his eyes to see that he is precious in Your sight, that You sent Your Son to die for him, not because he was worthy but because that’s who You are. May all of Your purposes for him and for this church be fulfilled on Your schedule, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!