When a Christian and follower of Jesus presents the gospel and proof to a person. They do not always accept the witness. That person may respond with sincere questions or belligerent questions. The believer may answer stating the truth in the best way they can to that person. However,even if they present the gospel and basic truths like a lawyer in a crime thriller, a great speaker in a political drama or a coach in a sports movie the audience may reject their words. Rejection of their witness and their attempts, good and bad in quality, to share the gospel leaves some Christians perplexed and frustrated. When that happens many believers feel that if I knew more or spoke better the outcome would be different , this is not necessary the truth. There is a larger picture. A fact that seems to be forgotten but scripture bares out and actually warns us about. The majority of people no matter what you say or do will reject the gospel and Jesus. Jesus said " in Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Most of the world will go to Hell like most of the world died in the flood. Paul the apostle, missionary, former Pharisee and scholar failed many times , one example is found in Acts 23 tells of a crowd of fellow Jews who rejected his message, to the point that Roman solders had to rescue him from the mob. See Acts 23 . Of course Jesus our Lord and Savior was rejected by the majority of the religious Jewish authorities Sadducees and the Pharisees.
My church had an amazing church trip to "Sight and Sound" in the the state of Pennsylvania on the East coast. The theater was charming and the production Broadway, Las Vegas professional quality. Each year the sight and sound group produced a musical based on the BIBLE. Samson, Daniel , Joseph etc.. This year was NOAH. There are staged with dancing ,singing and dialogue that at times hold valuable wisdom. While I do not have a transcript of the musical, I can paraphrase one part of the dialogue I found interesting. I not sure which of the biblical character was speaking, I do recall it may have been someone playing Noah's son. The person was speaking about friends lost during the flood. he said, please remember this is the gist, "We can't make someone believe ! You can only love them enough to tell them the truth." Ephesians 4:13 "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." When you speak the truth in love the bible never guarantees acceptance , in fact it promises mostly rejection, no matter how well, loud or articulate a Christian presents Jesus most will reject the message and hate or even kill the messenger ! Speak anyway , in love and for love.
In the courts of the USA a witness is placed on the stand, and at least in thousands of movies, told to swear hand on the bible to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We are to tell others about the hope of salvation that only rest in Son and Savoir Jesus Christ. The response to the call by God to follow his way , truth and life was rejected by Cain and his reaction was to kill Abel his brother for obeying the way God had commanded. Like the message from NOAH the musical " We can't make someone believe ! You can only love them enough to tell them the truth." I would add do not be shocked if they hate you or even seek to kill you! . Jesus Christ says in John 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason." One last word on the matter, all Christians should pray that God gives them and every Christian the spiritual; courage to speak despite all of the rejection and hate. In love I speak this truth - You and everyone are lost in sin which will end in death and eternal separation from God. Jesus is the way out,and the way to the Father, accept him as Savoir and Lord, then live for the father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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