“If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city” (Matthew 10:13-15, New American Standard Bible).

Matthew 10 contains Jesus’ detailed instructions to His 12 disciples before they began their first ministry trip. In Matthew 10:5-42, we see the words of Christ nonstop, without questions from the apostles, description of others’ activity, or commentary by the author. When Jesus speaks, we need to listen.

In verses 13-15, He told the disciples what to do if people rejected their message. They should have expected conflict; religious leaders would confront, challenge, threaten, or argue with Jesus. They knew they would get the same treatment.

Sometimes we might be tempted to keep fighting a battle when it is time to move on. We have shared our testimony or the Gospel with others, and they have denied it. Should we keep fighting? If we do not, we feel like we have lost a debate. We quit before we could win.

The problem with this thinking is that it is not our job to save people. Jesus saves them; He did it by dying on the cross. The Holy Spirit completes the saving work by convicting people of their need for salvation. We do not save people, though. We only bring the message.

We should not be discouraged when people reject the good news about Jesus. It might be time to move on. They may not be ready yet. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will continue to convict them, and they will accept salvation when they hear the Gospel again in the future.

You probably encounter hundreds of people who do not have a relationship with Christ yet. Don’t keep fighting. Move on and bring the message of salvation to the next person. You bring the message; God will save.

When do you determine it is time to move on when sharing the Gospel? Share your thoughts below.

Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.