By David ReayThursday 8 May 2014LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Matthew 7:6
“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls,then turn and attack you. (NLT)
This is one of those bible texts that are ultimately puzzling. Much of the Bible is clear enough: God is well able to make clear the way of salvation and the best way to live life. But because the Bible is an ancient text,translated from another culture and another language,some texts are unclear. This need not worry us unduly. We have enough on our plate wrestling with what is plain without being too distracted by what is mysterious.
This particular text is puzzling in one way because it doesn’t seem to fit in with its immediate context. It may have been inserted here from another context. Who knows? But we can perhaps recognise that it is about sharing the Christian message. There will be some who will despise it and react with hostility to it and its messengers.
Jesus is saying we are not to beat our head against such brick walls. Many people need to hear the gospel,so don’t waste time getting entangled in furious arguments with those who have no interest in grasping the message. Focus on the receptive people.
Fair enough. But we do need discernment. We certainly don’t give up on anyone,or mistake immediate hostility for ongoing rejection. We need the discernment given by the Spirit to know when to press on with someone and when to move on from someone.
Blessings
David Reay