“But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.’ And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:5-11
Time and again we have examples in the Bible where the disciples simply shake the dust off their clothing and move on to the next proving ground. In this case the apostle Paul simply moves next door! As hard as it seems there are times when no amount of talking, no amount of citing, no amount of witnessing will get the job done. There are those who’s ears, eyes, and hearts are closed to the Word of God. When we have said and done everything possible we must move on, continue to pray for them, and leave them in God’s hands. He knows. However, we should never view our efforts as fruitless. We may have been sent to prepare the way. Just as John The Baptist did, we open the door for the Light to penetrate.
Another thought to consider in shaking the dust off is the fact that there are others who are in need of hearing the Word also. The longer we spend with those who refuse to listen, the less time spent with those who are hungry to listen. Again, we never desert those left behind, for we continue to pray for their conversion to Christ, and remain ever willing to assist if the situation changes.
Something that stands out to me is the fact that Paul moved next door. Apparently the family of Titius Justus, who believed in God, had been listening to Paul. His house was next to the synagogue where many of the Jews had been resisting Paul’s efforts. Because Paul was close by, the leader of the synagogue, Crispus, who also believed, was baptized along with his household. This led to many other conversions. And then, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, telling him not to stop speaking out on His behalf, for He was with him.
Sometimes we don’t have to remove ourselves a great distance. Quietly witnessing nearby with our own life might be exactly what is needed to soften the hardened hearts of others.
Have you been preaching and proving to no avail? Does it seem as if no one is listening? God knows who is. Maybe it is time to shake off the dust and leave, or maybe just give them some space. Continue to pray for them and live a life that witnesses your faith. Actions often speak when words fail.
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