The Encourager
“Shooting the Messenger - David Merideth”
Shooting the Messenger
By David Merideth
Some people are more open to the gospel than others and unfortunately this includes people in and out of the body of Christ. A Christian or Gospel Preacher of the Lord’s church never knows how it is going to be received, so we should just give out the Word of God and invite people to obey Christ in all things. People will react in different ways. The apostle Paul received three reactions to the gospel when he preached it: "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter…” However, some men joined him and believed" (Acts 17:32, 34).
We find the same reactions to the gospel today. Some will mock. The term "mocked" used in Acts 17 also could be translated "sneered" or "burst out laughing." In other words, “Are you serious? You actually believe that”? To these educated fools, it all seemed silly and unbelievable. But this very mockery was an indication they were going to perish because "the preaching of the gospel is to them that are perishing foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Not only will Christians and Preachers of the Lord’s church be “mocked” it can get worse.
Jesus told His disciples: "Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master. “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). He promised that if we follow Him, we will be persecuted. “Declaring the whole counsel of God” is the primary goal of all those who preach, teach, and study the word of God. Whether we are teaching others or engaged in personal Bible study, we must hear God’s whole counsel on any given topic. "I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts.20:20,27).
In John 5:31-47, we are told that Jesus was persecuted because He spoke the truth uncompromisingly, and because His whole life was a testimony to that truth. A barometer of how well our lives reflect His is whether or not we're being persecuted. Also, Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you; the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give your life as your victor’s crown.”
Some will mock and persecute, while others will delay. We will hear you again on this matter. This is a very common reaction. What it actually means is, "I really don’t want to decide right now." The devil uses this tactic to great effect. Don’t worry about it now. Deal with it later.
But some believed. Some repented and changed their minds, and among them was Dionysius the Areopagite, one of the judges who was an intellectual and ruler of the city.
Conversion is God’s job, not ours. It is the work of the Holy Spirit through the word in the life of an unbeliever and Christian alike. God holds us responsible for proclaiming the truth with love. But the rest is up to Him.
We read in Hebrews 4:12 NKJV, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hopefully those in the church and out will not “Shoot the messenger” and receive the message the way it is intended.
Meditate on this:
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
