Is GOD calling you to discipleship?
Do you feel a need to spread the Good News?
Is your heart full of compassion for those who do not know Jesus?
What does the Bible Say?
The Gospel message today deals with this point:
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. ”They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
The disciples were to trust in the Lord to provide. Not many of us are called to live by faith, but those who are do remarkably well. My priest walked from Hampshire in England to Assisi in Italy with nothing. On his journey he was a guest in 52 homes of strangers who welcomed him.
So often we forget that GOD is in control and he truly cares about us.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
LUKE 12: 6-7
What does this mean?
In discipleship we can feel that the need to cajole, persuade, plead and drag people to Christ.
We feel we need to be persistent like the widow in prayer.
But this is wrong. This is not what the Bible tells us.
Persistent prayer is different from persistent nagging.
If people refuse to listen to the Good News... leave well alone.
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
MATTHEW 19: 16-24
Did Jesus chase after him?
NO
Did Jesus drop more pearls of wisdom on him?
NO
Did Jesus try to persuade him?
NO.
Jesus let him go.
GOD has given us free will.
We can choose to accept the Good News.
Or not.
It is our choice and Jesus allows us to make it without any interference from him.
We are told by GOD to do what Jesus does.
So let people be.
If they refuse to listen allow them to exercise their free will.
As with dating... if someone does not want to be with you... NEXT!
There are millions of people in this world ready and eager to hear the Good News. Seek them out and leave the hard hearted to steer their own course.
GOD will deal with them as he decides..
GOD is sovereign. Always remember that.
DEAR GOD THE FATHER IN HEAVEN, HELP US TO MINISTER WISELY TO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW YOU. LET US TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR DEALINGS WITH THEM AND LET IT BE YOUR WILL THAT THEY ARE LED TO FOLLOW YOU. IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME WE PRAY. AMEN