“(For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)”
John 4:9b
I felt a nudge to share the gospel with a guy I have known for a long time. We used to run around together. I’m going to be brutally honest with you – I hesitated. Why? It wasn’t because I am ashamed that he might slander my name. No, it was because I don’t want the guy around me if he doesn’t accept the gospel. Let’s face it, some people are simply untrustworthy.
Honestly, I didn’t struggle with this long before I sent him a letter (he lives a long way from me). Why? Because I was once no better than him in the eyes of God. I wasn’t trustworthy with things of heaven. I sought to damage the kingdom. At the same time, I must not be foolish, either. Jails have plenty of long-term residents who were trusted by others.
Perhaps there is biblical precedence to be careful. King Hezekiah showed the Babylonian envoys the entire kingdom, including the treasure house. Isaiah reacted by prophesying that everything in the kingdom would be taken by the king of Babylon. (2 Kings 20:12-19, Isaiah 39:1-8)
On the other hand, Jesus shared the gospel with everyone, including one who would betray him.
The way I settled this was to trust God to protect me. The gospel is just as much for the untrustworthy as it is for me. Now, it might be unwise to give a person like this the keys to my house or the password to my bank accounts, but it would not be wise to be afraid to share the gospel with him.
God will protect me. That’s what Psalm 91 is all about.
Father, your promises are a great comfort. Thank you. Amen.
Copyright © 2020 Scott Powers