Giving up for God

“Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” -Ezekiel 14:20.

In certain settings there can be a great pressure put on believers to “win souls” for the Lord. Christians can also pressure themselves, especially where lost loved ones are concerned, but it is the Lord who brings salvation, and we are only conduits for the message.

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” -I Corinthians 1:5-7.

It is a strong message in scripture that there is a time for everything, and that includes a time for letting go, or giving up (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We know that the great majority of people will be eternally lost, even though God doesn't want them to be (2 Peter 3:9). And I am not picking out a couple isolated verses in the Bible, but a very clear message to God's people.

In Jeremiah there are 3X the prophet is told NOT to pray, cry out, or intercede for his people, found in 7:16, 14:11&12, and 11:14;

“Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.” We also find in Jeremiah;

“Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.” -15:1.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.” -15:19 Bold type added to emphasize.

The directive is consistent in both the Old & New Testaments of the Bible, please see Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, Luke 10:11, Acts 13:51, and this from Matthew 15:12-14;

“Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

What could be the reasons God has for such seemingly negative interactions? First would be not to waste time, either with them or in prayer for them (Ephesians 5:16). Second is that the next phase of the work may be someone else's (I Corinthians 3:6). Third is that our Christian life witness may be compromised as we try to reach them, perhaps to the point of stumbling into sin (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Fourth is to remember that ours is the work of witnessing, but salvation is of the Lord (Mark 10:26&27). Fifth is that we will only become frustrated, and give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27) who wants to accuse & condemn us (Revelation 12:10, Romans 8:33&34).

So we can see then what the Word of God says, that there are good reasons to pull away from situations/people, but the LORD must show you when and how; and there will be clues given by the Holy Spirit. One big one is simply that in “overstaying” your welcome in a ministry situation, you may see that you are compromising in other areas of Godly obedience. Please consider the following supporting scriptures as well, and many others could be mentioned;

“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” -Proverbs 14:7.

“When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” -Proverbs 1:27-29.

“I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.” -Isaiah 66:4

“I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” -Galatians 5:12.

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” -2 Thessalonians 3:6.

See also Psalm 58:3-5; Proverbs 1:24-30; Isaiah 65:12; Ezekiel 3:4-7, 14:14; I Corinthians 5:13; I Timothy 6:5, 2 Timothy 3:5.

Please don't be discouraged by what I have said here, for I am hoping it will free you (John 8:31&32). The real work of salvation is a mystery, and this or any other thing God desires will come through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26&27), not our striving. So relax! We are justified through Jesus' blood, and He will complete in you that which He began (Philippians 1:6).

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” -John 3:7,8.

Here is a link to the YouTube video I did on this subject, as well https://youtu.be/o35PaiepR4g