Ezekiel, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are just like their ancestors who rebelled against me and refused to stop.They are stubborn and hardheaded. But I, the Lord God, have chosen you to tell them what I say. Those rebels may not even listen, but at least they will know that a prophet has come to them.
Don't be afraid of them or of anything they say. You may think you're in the middle of a thorn patch or a bunch of scorpions. But be brave and preach my message to them, whether they choose to listen or not. Ezekiel, don't rebel against me, as they have done. Instead, listen to everything I tell you.
And now, Ezekiel, open your mouth and eat what I am going to give you.
Just then, I saw a hand stretched out toward me. And in it was a scroll. The hand opened the scroll, and both sides of it were filled with words of sadness, mourning, and grief.
Ezekiel 2:3-10
The "Good News" of the Gospel is nothing but words of sadness, mourning, and grief for everyone who rejects Jesus! It is only Good News for those who turn away from the world and fully embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
God told Ezekiel that when he preached those "rebels may not even listen." If you are called to proclaim the Gospel, the response to that message does not bring you shame or glory. If no one turns to Jesus because they heard you proclaim the Gospel its is no fault of your own. And if everyone who hears the message repents and turns to Jesus there is no glory that should go to you because of their response.
As a follower of Jesus your success has nothing to do with how many people come to know Jesus because of you. If you follow Jesus you are a success and if you don't follow Jesus nothing else matters.
An evangelist is like a man who delivers the mail. His job is done when the mail is the delivered. Nothing that happens after it is delivered has anything to do with him.
"Lord, give me the courage to deliver the message of the Gospel to everyone, not just those who I think are more likely to receive it. May I glory only in knowing You and not in how men respond to my preaching. Thank you Jesus. Amen."
No comments:
Post a Comment