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But when you are dealing NOT with rejection but disagreement about WHAT the Gospel IS . . . your attitude then becomes one of arrogance and hubris toward fellow Christians based on your belief that YOUR understanding is the correct one. How does one get to be so arrogant?
But when you are dealing NOT with rejection but disagreement about WHAT the Gospel IS . . . your attitude then becomes one of arrogance and hubris toward fellow Christians based on your belief that YOUR understanding is the correct one. How does one get to be so arrogant?
I couldn't agree more.
Also disheartening is the attitude displayed toward those who are not "fellow Christians" and yet demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives to any degree (and it's rare to run across someone who NEVER does). Christians (or rather, only the Christians who agree with them on anything they deem as most important to believe) do not have the corner market on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness or self-control. Why, then, do they think they have the corner market on God's Spirit?
I sometimes am tempted to think it's best for those Christians who feel compelled to "shake the dust" (which in their minds means leaving those filthy "dogs and swine" to their own devices), to do just that, quietly, rather than be so vocally hostile about their "shaking". But for their own sake, and for the sake of all of us, I keep hoping they'll stick around long enough to maybe open their eyes and really SEE God in others.
If we could all be about the business of encouraging obedience to that Spirit in each other, no matter what one believes about -- or calls -- that Spirit, maybe we'd all be much further along than we are in our transformation into the image of God/Love than we are.
Also disheartening is the attitude displayed toward those who are not "fellow Christians" and yet demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives to any degree (and it's rare to run across someone who NEVER does). Christians (or rather, only the Christians who agree with them on anything they deem as most important to believe) do not have the corner market on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness or self-control. Why, then, do they think they have the corner market on God's Spirit?
I sometimes am tempted to think it's best for those Christians who feel compelled to "shake the dust" (which in their minds means leaving those filthy "dogs and swine" to their own devices), to do just that, quietly, rather than be so vocally hostile about their "shaking". But for their own sake, and for the sake of all of us, I keep hoping they'll stick around long enough to maybe open their eyes and really SEE God in others.
If we could all be about the business of encouraging obedience to that Spirit in each other, no matter what one believes about -- or calls -- that Spirit, maybe we'd all be much further along than we are in our transformation into the image of God/Love than we are.
What is your interpretation of Matthew 10:14? What was Jesus saying there? What does He say about how we are to react to those who reject the gospel message?
What is your interpretation of Matthew 10:14? What was Jesus saying there? What does He say about how we are to react to those who reject the gospel message?
That instruction was given to a certain group of men at a certain time, who were charged with a message to a certain group of people.
Matt 10: 1; 5-8 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease...
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Beyond that, when you [generic you] are demonstrating that you have the power of the Spirit of Christ to cast out "unclean spirits" and to heal all manner of sickness and disease, are raising the dead and are proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand (and can demonstrate what that you know what that actually means), then we can discuss what verse 14 means.
That instruction was given to a certain group of men at a certain time, who were charged with a message to a certain group of people.
Matt 10: 1; 5-8 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease...
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Beyond that, when you [generic you] are demonstrating that you have the power of the Spirit of Christ to cast out "unclean spirits" and to heal all manner of sickness and disease, are raising the dead and are proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand (and can demonstrate what that you know what that actually means), then we can discuss what verse 14 means.
Well, those men are with Jesus now. So, what are we left to do? Have the instructions changed?
Well, those men are with Jesus now. So, what are we left to do? Have the instructions changed?
I repeat:
Beyond that, when you [generic you] are demonstrating that you have the power of the Spirit of Christ to cast out "unclean spirits" and to heal all manner of sickness and disease, are raising the dead and are proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand (and can demonstrate what that you know what that actually means), then we can discuss what verse 14 means.
Beyond that, when you [generic you] are demonstrating that you have the power of the Spirit of Christ to cast out "unclean spirits" and to heal all manner of sickness and disease, are raising the dead and are proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand (and can demonstrate what that you know what that actually means), then we can discuss what verse 14 means.
So, are we to share the gospel? If we (the gospel) is rebuffed numerous times, what are we to do?
This is a quote from a commentary by Martin Luther in Galatians 5:13.
I just find it fascinating because it shows things haven't changed. We're in a different time, but not a different people.
What we learn is that we should use judgment in our "witnessing" efforts (ie casting pearls before the swine)... choosing who can receive this message.
From what I've found, meekness and curiosity are two primary attributes to look for in people when sharing the gospel message.
Thoughts?
Lee, you do realize that this quote you used from the article for your thread title does NOT pertain to "witnessing efforts" to "unbelievers". It's about CHRISTIANS who are using the message of liberty as an excuse to indulge their pet sins of non-love.
From the commentary:
Quote:
People talk about Christian liberty and then go and cater to the desires of covetousness, pleasure, pride, envy, and other vices. Nobody wants to fulfill his duties. Nobody wants to help out a brother in distress. This sort of thing makes me so impatient at times that I wish the swine who trampled precious pearls under foot were back once again under the tyranny of the Pope. You cannot wake up the people of Gomorrah with the gospel of peace.
So, are we to share the gospel? If we (the gospel) is rebuffed numerous times, what are we to do?
If I were you, I'd make sure you actually know why the message you are sharing is being rebuffed. It might very well be that it's not the "good news" after all. Especially if your message is not accompanied by the signs of the POWER of that message.
So, are we to share the gospel? If we (the gospel) is rebuffed numerous times, what are we to do?
Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13 "shook the dust off" as well.
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I repeat:
