You can speak to them and they will listen, but they may not hear.
“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” (Matt. 13:13)
But, you say, it is the Holy Spirit that opens their ears, that reaches into their heart, their soul with the truth, with the way to salvation. And you would be correct, but how does He do that? By osmosis? By placing a thought within them to go out and purchase a Bible, to think “You know I should go to church.” Sometimes perhaps, but we both know how He works.
Through us.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10:16)
Problem is today, too many who profess to serve the Lord Jesus Christ are sheepish, frightened, embarrassed, fearful of some form of personal retribution.
In the nation I live in they are not killing Christians en masse, yet, and I really do not think that is going to happen here or anywhere else in what we call the western nations. After we are removed, yes, but not until then. And so, by all rights, we can speak to them openly and freely, perhaps being mocked when we do so, but not generally to our face.
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:19)
If you do not want to be hated, then do not speak to the wicked of Him whom you profess to serve, do not go out into the world every day with the intent of seeking the lost. You’ll be fine.
Who is responsible to search for the lost amongst the wicked? Your pastor, elders or deacons? Was that verse about being wise as serpents, but gentle as doves just for those the Lord was speaking to that day?
Within a sixty-mile radius of where I live there are perhaps a thousand people that attend a building calling itself a church, some are Evangelical, some are religious cults pretending to fear God. In over the three decades that I have been here one person has asked me if I know the Savior.
One.
Now is the time in this letter that you can start offering excuses for your inactions in regard to the matter at hand. But for you who are reaching out without fear, I offer this truth, you have been set apart, not only by the Almighty for His glory, but by the world. Once they find out by your words and actions that you mean what you say and say what you mean when speaking to them, they will stop listening.
But none of them may hear unless you start talking.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Personal fear is the one and only thing that keeps people from speaking about the words of God, Satan does not hinder us in this area, and the Holy Spirit if indeed He resides within you, is not going to force you to say anything to anyone.
This is on you.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)
You really should contemplate this folks, those who will not speak of Him in public, to friends, family and even strangers will have no excuse on their day of accounting, and whether you want to accept this truth or not, their accounting will happen at the Great White Throne of Judgment.
No ambassador joins his heart to the nation he is sent to, he has been sent for a reason, for a purpose. He may build a house there, but he will never call it home. They will listen, but they may not hear. That is on them. But if you will not speak openly about who it is you say you serve, then you truly are not serving.
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mat. 25:30)
