I’m sure you’re being facetious about God’s messenger giving up easily. We both know that there’s enough evidence in scripture and more than enough chances for anyone to hear the gospel.

“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31).

ie. no matter how much evidence you submit, you can’t force people to believe. So there really is no excuse.

Again, some people will never believe. It’s their big loss.

Thanks for the lesson. I realize now that your readers needed to be familiar with the entire Bible verse in order to understand it. My problem was that I didn’t know what city/town the verse was speaking about.

Now I have another question. It’s regarding the following:

that person was never meant to be saved in the first place.

I didn’t realize that God’s messengers gave up so easily.

Glad you enjoyed my 2 cents today.

12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

This is the passage where Jesus (after he had performed so many miracles) is training his disciples to spread the good news that the “kingdom of God” (ie. that salvation from the difficult and dark world they were living in) was drawing closer. Jesus gave the apostles authority to heal the sick and drive out demons (which they actually did). They were to knock at the doors of the Jews. If they were invited in, then great … there was hope for that household and its occupants. But if they are not welcomed, then too bad — because they were given a chance but they refused so they were instructed to “shake the dust off” (whether figuratively speaking or literally); the message was “I tried to share the good news but I am not responsible for what will happen if you refuse.”

The warning ends with a grim reminder that what happened in the legendary city of Sodom and Gomorrah (where God destroyed the whole city during the time of Abraham in Genesis 19) will be nothing compared to the destruction they were about to face.

Sometimes people think that they know all there is to know … content in their superficial understanding. And they die in that state. Many so-called Christians may not really be Christians and you can tell by their “fruits.” It would be wise to examine ourselves and see if we are just fooling ourselves into thinking and proclaiming we are Christians. Remember the passage in Matthew 7:
True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

No one can truly say who is saved or not … only God knows. And this transition from unbelief to genuine belief can only happen via the intervention of the Holy Spirit. When you accept Christ the HS enters in you and his influence will grow. If you only go through the motions, the HS cannot enter. So no HS, no salvation, no way you can understand — it just makes sense.

I used to worry that the people I had shared the gospel to did not believe. But when I realized my role was simply to share the gospel and it wasn’t up to me to convince them to believe, I have learned to trust that God knows what’s best for that other person..At that point there are only 2 possibilities:1) I just plant the seed and pray someone else will nourish that seed or 2) that person was never meant to be saved in the first place.

Sorry for the long explanation.I got carried away.

Raoul

“Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” — Matthew 10:15

Would you please explain it to me.

It’s the children that are really screwed if their parents are the disappointment people.

I too am overwhelmed with the staggering rewards we give to movie stars and professional sports that is way out of proportion to the value they provide to our society as compared, for example, with teacher and nurses….wow….

Although never a big sports fan, I have really tuned-out any type of professional sport…I watch some football, but mostly as an excuse to drink ‘n snack while relaxing….

For many years, my wife and I really enjoyed going to the movies….our kids called us ‘Siskel & Ebert’….we often drove to boutique theatres playing foreign films and or documentaries…it was cheap/affordable entertainment (well if you avoid the popcorn & soda’) and provided a different perspective on many topics…then…for many years we hosted a big-deal Oscar party…replete with posters from movies playing, decorations, contests with awards and of course lots of food & booze….for years it was a big deal family w/friends event….regretfully even before COVID, we discovered NETFLIX and stopped enjoying going to the movies…way too loud, obnoxious people, too expensive and just not a good experience…we really prefer to watch at home – food is better also..

We no longer see all the movies up for awards, but do enjoy as we have time….

Yes, I must admit we still tune in to the Oscars….at the same time I strongly agree with your $0.02….

Enjoy St Patrick’s Day….and thanks for continuing to share your thoughts

Once again, you helped just start my day with a laugh. I am grateful for your honesty, Your creativity and your sense of humor. For many years, I have looked forward to Friday morning Emails because I was sure I would see yours there. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve forwarded your newsletter to. Not to mention how many screenshots I have made of your jokes and sent them out to friends and family. I have truly been blessed by your stories and encouraged by your thoughtfulness in your writing. I pray for you and your family that the Lord would continue to bless you and your newsletter would continue to bless others as you continue on your journey through this life.

I wish you all God’s blessings my friend,

Gary