Refusing Christ- The Blood is On Your Own Head.

Yesterday we talked about Paul witnessing in the synagogue on the Sabbaths while working during the other days of the week. Paul REASONED with those in the Synagogue and he witnessed to His faith. The next verse however says something else- When two other disciples arrived, suddenly the Holy Spirit impressed upon Paul that he wasn't to reason any longer, but rather simple testify that Jesus was Christ.  I don't know what Paul reasoned with on the other Sabbaths, I'm sure it was of his new faith, but perhaps it was crouched in reasoning that was drawing forth truth from them, getting them to see the facts of things they'd believed for years. Paul had thoroughly laid the groundwork for all who would accept the truth to do so. He'd done every single thing he could to enlighten the eyes of the Jews. When he flat out testified without any doubt that the Messiah had already come, that the one they'd been looking for was in fact the recently crucified Jesus Christ. Paul had NO doubt, Paul was sure of this truth. As he testified he was in fact encouraging all there in the synagogue to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. It was time for them to accept or deny truth, Paul was no longer going to debate with them, time for debating was over. As he lay bare the truth in his testimony he was sadly only met with accusation, opposition, words of blasphemy to the truth given.

How did Paul react to their response? He'd had enough. The Holy Spirit was guiding him every step of the way and it was time for Paul to stop testifying to the Jewish people altogether. He wasn't to reason with them any longer. There were people - Gentiles who were thirsty for truth and it was to them he was being called to go.

Paul was very adamant about his decision and let those there in the synagogue know. He SHOOK HIS RAIMENT- a clear expression of disdain and less they not comprehend the gesture he told them-  YOUR BLOOD BE UPON YOUR OWN HEADS, I AM CLEAN- FROM HENCEFORTH I WILL GO UNTO THE GENTILES.

The guilt of their decision was to be on their own heads, their own fault. Paul had done all he could and there was no more he could do.

So WHY do we today believe that we never really have to get to a place of true and lasting decision?  Why can't we imagine any blood on anyone's heads? We, like Paul need to let the Holy Spirit guide us in our witnessing with the comprehension that sometimes we are to move on and leave with God as judge those who refuse truth.

Please, LORD, please, let us be YOURS, wholly YOURS now and forever! Let the Holy Spirit live in us, guiding us always! All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior forever and ever, now and forever!

Act 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

Act 18:5  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 

Act 18:6  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.