Even though the Isaiah 6 quotation in Acts 28 has a very specific purpose and application to the people of Israel, the principle carries over to all Christian ministry. We have hit this theme many times throughout our study of Acts, so it is fitting that we would revisit it in our final study. The theme is this—when we incur resistance or even hostility towards the gospel message, there is no reason to automatically think that there was something wrong with our content or our presentation. Perhaps we were argumentative or came across as frustrated or judgmental that the other person was so moronic that they just can’t figure it out. Those things we certainly need to repent of.
However, if we are speaking the truth in love, one’s response is absolutely irrelevant when considering our faithfulness. For instance, how would we know that God is not using his truth to expose the hardness of heart in someone, which perhaps would eventually take them to a place when they will be desperate for the forgiveness and imputed righteousness found only in Christ?
This is why the whole modern concept of making Jesus attractive to unbelievers is folly and an absolute denial of many biblical teachings. All that proves is that unbelievers are attracted to emotionally-driven music and motivational speaking. Secular business experts have been well aware of those human tendencies for decades. Again, just like what we saw in v.24, the unadulterated preaching of the truth of God pierces the heart and the same truth can have a hardening effect on some and a saving effect on others. It is not our job to dictate when and where the Spirit will work, for Jesus said in John 3, the Spirit blows wherever he wishes. So instead of manipulating and manufacturing perceived results, we are to give the core truths of the gospel indiscriminately.
This is why the whole modern concept of making Jesus attractive to unbelievers is folly and an absolute denial of many biblical teachings. All that proves is that unbelievers are attracted to emotionally-driven music and motivational speaking. Secular business experts have been well aware of those human tendencies for decades. Again, just like what we saw in v.24, the unadulterated preaching of the truth of God pierces the heart and the same truth can have a hardening effect on some and a saving effect on others. It is not our job to dictate when and where the Spirit will work, for Jesus said in John 3, the Spirit blows wherever he wishes. So instead of manipulating and manufacturing perceived results, we are to give the core truths of the gospel indiscriminately.