“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6).
The thought of Jesus asking Christians to make character judgements when preaching the Gospel does not sit well with many. Even Christians find it hard to believe that there are those who should be walked away from when they profane the truth. However, though no one wants to think a person is beyond redemption, there does come a point where you must wipe the dust off your feet in protest against them (Luke 10:11).
Better men than I have struggled with the doctrine of eternal punishment. They cannot accept that God will condemn a person to eternal agony for rejecting Him in this life. I cannot agree with their doctrine, but I do share their love for all sinners. But I must warn them lest they are guilty of accusing God of having less love than we do. May it never be! “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
Since Adam and Eve it has been sin and unbelief that has kept man under the condemnation of God. But we praise the Lord that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Salvation in Christ is available to everyone.
Therefore, your part and mine is to call the sinner to repentance and baptism in the name of Christ (Acts 2:38). As we preach we must never be surprised when some rail against the truth of the Gospel. Yes, we must stand our ground against atheism and false doctrine, but we must know when we are giving that which is holy to dogs and casting pearls before swine. For when they finish trying to destroy the truth of the Gospel, they will try to destroy me and you too.
This indeed calls for Wisdom!
John Staiger
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