King Saul had a hard heart to listen. He died a humiliated and tragical death. Noah preached the message of repentance for many years before the flood came. The dust was shaken out of his feet, when he closed the ark’s door. It was final. No more opportunity. Eternity was the next encounter those people faced. Today, the message of the Gospel is everywhere we go. Media of every kind offer the message of salvation. The time will come, however, when the dust will be shaken of our feet as a testimony against the rejection of the message of salvation.
Paul and Barnabas followed YAHSHUA’S instruction in those days when they were carrying the message of the Gospel into the world of Antioch. Yes, they did not hesitate to do it. We do not know if those people had another opportunity or not; however, the best decision is not to rejected the love of God shed for all of us. There were times in our lives when it was necessary to practice the shaking of the dust of our feet against those who would not accept the message of the Gospel, as they retaliated with spiritism worship. The Word of our Lord is not to return to Him void, without accomplishing His purpose for which He sent. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7). The message of salvation is the most comforting future message there is, for it is eternal. It is the message that cost the life of our Savior in sharing it with us. A gift that keeps on growing throughout life on earth. However, it is not everyone that will receive it to be saved, so the dust, the remainder of it attached on our shoes must be wiped clean. The past not to be remembered. The disciples were to pursuit the missionary journey without worrying of money or food, or place to stay. Everything had been prepared for them. They were carriers of the most hopeful message for the nation: The kingdom of heaven is at hand! YAHSHUA – God incarnated lived among them. The disciples were to take the message of salvation without stopping to salute anyone; They were to redeem the time, by refraining from saluting and wishing anyone well along the way (Luke 10:4). Time is important in the mission field, where souls are perishing daily. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul warned them saying, Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as unwise, making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity, because the days are evil; therefore, do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:15-57).
We can only accomplish the will of God by obeying what He commanded us to do. Watered-down gospel is weak and powerless, as we have it today. Many are presenting a Gospel without the cross of self-denial, following the flesh desires; and a prayerless life. The results are seen in a powerless Gospel. We wonder why we do not have power to heal, power to raise one from the dead, power to deliver one from demons, things that YAHSHUA commanded the disciples to do with power. The rejection of the Gospel is in the level of pastors, for their messages without conviction and contrary to the Word of God, for accepting and practicing the world’s ideas. Sometimes, the world does not receive our message because it is tainted with the world. Our lives must be pure, for the message to reflect the holiness and purity of God in our life. This way we can shake out the world’s rejection of the Gospel. YAHSHUA said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Let it be so in the name of our Lord and Savior YAHSHUA!
Light from the Word 