The Watchman's Diary

“Even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man. Yet I was shown mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13).

What is your attitude towards loved ones who do not believe in Yeshua (Jesus), and to others also living in unbelief? Yeshua wept over Jerusalem because of the Jews’ unbelief—”O Jerusalem, Jerusalem who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate!” (Matthew 23:37-38). Scripture also tells us that Yeshua was not able to do many miracles in His hometown because of the people’s unbelief (Matthew 13:53-58). This shows that It’s to one’s spiritual disadvantage to live in such a condition.

We cannot, and should not force anyone to believe, but we should pray for them. Paul was not shy about telling how he persecuted the followers of Yeshua, but later acknowledged that he “had acted ignorantly in unbelief.” We should not fail to share the Gospel with our loved ones. Neither should we fail to live that which we preach, or we may harden their unbelief because of our hypocrisy. When you cannot share the Gospel, live the Gospel. Let your life be an unspoken testimony, which may prove to be a more powerful witness.

People may not want to hear what we have to say, but they cannot help but see our actions. In fact, they may be looking to see if you are living as you profess. This does not mean we have to be perfect, no one is. This is why we should measure others with the same measure we would have them use for us. We do not excuse sin, but we also don’t condemn others to hell because of their sin. God is in the business of redemption and today’s persecutor could be next week’s chosen vessel.