Range of Responses

“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:5).  “I continue unto this day… saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come… And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad… Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:22-28). 

God’s offer is plain, and His Word is still pure: 

To those who will trust Him, the Lord is a Shield.

Responses are many, but there is ONE cure:

There’s no other way but through Christ to be healed.

As Paul was recounting the facts that were plain

Regarding the Scriptures Christ came to fulfill,

With shouting then Festus declared Paul insane,

And people today use this strategy still.

The range of responses today is the same: 

Some people are angry and others are jaded. 

Consider Agrippa: when hearing Paul’s claim, 

He simply confessed he was ALMOST persuaded.

But “almost persuaded” has never sufficed;

It’s really no better than anger and shouting. 

It’s only by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ

That we can be parted from those who are doubting.

O Lord, we give thanks for Your Gospel today

So gracious and pure, its rejection is strange!

Your way is still narrow, but broad is the way

That leads to destruction in such a wide range. 

Lord, help us today to be all the more steady,

Unmoved by the range of responses we’ve heard.

Equip us with wisdom to always be ready

To answer with reasons upheld by Your Word.