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

Even Paul’s “batting average” in evangelism wasn’t very high! We cannot control people’s response to the Gospel, we can only be faithful in presenting it in purity and love. I like the nuances in the Japanese translation here: “Some received what he had to say, but others didn’t attempt to believe.” Faith requires a choice on the part of the believer, and sadly, some people decline to make that choice. To put it a little more strongly than the NIV, they refuse to believe. The thing is, genuinely accepting the Gospel means letting go of all that we have held dear that contradicts the Gospel. In the case of the Jews here, that could have included centuries of tradition. It always includes pride! We don’t like to admit that we have things of which we need to repent, that we need a Savior. Helping us come to that awareness is a major reason why God allows trials into our lives. If everything is going smoothly, why would we seek salvation? That’s one of many reasons why the person sharing the Gospel must not be doing it in pride, as though they themselves had it all together. It has been said, quite accurately I think, that evangelism is one beggar telling another where to find bread. If the second beggar refuses to believe the bread is available, that’s on them. However, if the first beggar refuses to let people know there’s an unlimited supply of bread, that’s on them. We can’t govern people’s response to the Gospel, but we are accountable to God for how we share it.

I have never felt I was gifted as an evangelist, but in recent years I have discovered more joy in simply sharing, and leaving the results entirely up to God. Today we will be hosting a group of people, picking them up at the airport and bringing them to the church building for lunch. None of them are currently open Christians, but several of them have, in my eyes, been drawn by what they have seen and heard through Cathy and me. One of them has repeatedly thanked us for our love, and we try to make sure she, and all of the group, understand that it is God’s love expressed through us. It is a joy and privilege to be that sort of conduit, and we pray that God’s love would receive the reception it deserves, resulting in repentance and faith in many. These people are indeed dear to us, but not nearly as much to us as they are to God. We are to be faithful to love, and leave the results to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for this opportunity. May we indeed function as Your agents over the next three days, so that the lies of the enemy may be exposed and people be brought into Your family, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!