“The kingdom of God does not come through talk but through (divine) power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
Ancient wisdom advises us that we should never try to teach a pig to sing because (1) pigs can’t sing, no matter what we do, and (2) we will only annoy the pig.
The Wise Man put a different twist on the same idea, “Don’t keep trying to correct a scoffer because he will end up hating you” (Proverbs 9:8). And, more’s the pity, he may end up hating the truth as well (Matthew 7:6).
Not to say that people are pigs, although Jesus did use that analogy on one occasion, but there are some folks who are “unable to come to the knowledge of the truth,” because they, at least for the time being, aren’t looking for it, or to use Paul’s analysis, they don’t “love it” (2Thessalonians 2:10).To plague them with truth is a bad idea because we’ll only annoy them. Furthermore, it may stir them up to wrath and turn them away from the truth.
So what can we do for those that are obstinent and unpersuadable? Well, to be honest, some things are impossible for us. But not with God. “All things are possible with God” (Cf., Mark 10:21-27). We can put them in his hands and just love them.
David Roper
4.10.21
